Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. Psalms 103:1-22
This Psalm of David is a Psalm of Psalms. It brings us into the absolute high praises of God. Beginning with David's revelation of God's mercy shown to himself, his pen aptly reminds us of our own blessings and His mercies in our lives. David begins by addressing his own soul. Regardless of any thoughts or emotions, he reminds himself of God's absolute forgiveness which cancels the effects of sin--sickness, disease, death. Rather than receiving what we deserve as sinful men, God instead grants blessings of protection and provision. David acknowledges God's strength for the elderly and the oppressed. He recognizes it is the Lord who not only commands, but also is the executor of righteousness and justice for the widows and orphans--the poor and the oppressed. God is GOD.
The Psalm continues with further reminders of Moses--both his personal relationship with God and as the deliver, prophet, and law giver of Israel. Moses was the man to whom God spoke "face to face". He then brought all that God taught him to the people of Israel in the form of the written law. God confirmed His Word given through Moses by the signs, wonders and miracles shown to all Israel. The law teaches us how to worship God, pointing out man's ultimate inability to please God by perfect obedience--and yet the focus AGAIN is God's mercy. He remembers we are dust! We are His creation--unable to redeem ourselves--in desperate need of His saving grace. God's provision for removing our transgressions for those who fear Him--provides everlasting access to the throne room of grace, the inner courts of heaven.
What does it mean, "for those who fear Him"--"for those who keep His commandments"? The outward signs that you have a reverent respect or fear of God could be shown by whether or not you keep His commandments--the Law. But, if you are a really disciplined person you could appear to be keeping the Law--but your heart would be the proof of whether you are obeying because you love God and want to please Him, or because you want to avoid the consequences of disobedience. The first commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength--if you can't choose that as the primary objective in your life, the other commandments can only be obeyed to avoid the consequences or for your own pride--to look good to others or even to God. But God knows our hearts. It takes a heart turned completely toward God to begin to understand His ways, His perspective, His love for us and others. David had such a heart and this Psalm is written from the perspective of this kind of relationship with his God. David was not perfect. He recognized and admitted his sin, his mistakes, his need for God's forgiveness--without pride or excuses.
David's love and gratitude for the Lord crescendos in an appeal beyond the praises of his own soul and the men and women of God's creation to all the angelic hosts. He recognizes that they of course have purpose in God's Kingdom and in His plan of redeeming creation and he invites them to join in this song of high praise. This is a song of praise of God Himself, not merely the things He has done--but who He is. David's invitation for all of creation is unabashed, unreserved praise for Almighty God. I pray that you and I can enter in today to this high form of worship with pure hearts and self-abandoned love for the King of the universe, blessed be His Holy Name!
Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.
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