Psalm 103

                                                       by Cathy Brown

            Within the words of Psalm one hundred and three, we find an exhortation to consider all that the Lord has done personally for his saints.  The psalmist in verse one exhorts his soul to “Bless the Lord”.  In fact, he says, “all that is within me, bless his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)  The psalmist quickly recognizes that the name of God alone is holy, and there are no acts of God required.  Simply put, God is holy, and His name is Holy. 

            Surely in these times of uncertainties, it is easy to forget another important part of daily Christian living, and that is to thank God.  The Psalmist spoke so elegantly when he reminded his soul to “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”  (Psalm 103: 2)  Indeed, it should be a daily reminder to all of us to exhort our souls to thank God and to remember all the blessings He has so richly bestowed upon us. 

            Continuing in verse three, the psalmist emphatically proclaims to his soul that it is God “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;” and “who healeth all thy diseases.  It is fitting that the soul ponders the reality of its sin, “sin which doth so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1), that it may rejoice that the blood of Jesus has covered every sin and washed all of it whiter than snow.  Let us also consider the healing of a just and righteous God who lifts our depraved souls from everlasting darkness.  The psalmist declares, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”  (Psalm 40: 2)  God heals our lost and ill-strickened souls and brings them to the fountain of life where He shines into our hearts the knowledge of His saving grace, and where sickly hearts are healed by the “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit”. (Titus 3: 5)  This is marvelous to behold.  “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it”!  (Psalm 139: 6)

            The psalmist goes on to declare in verse four the redeeming love “which redeemeth thy life from destruction”, and love, which has bestowed upon the soul the joy of being called, “the sons of God”. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God. (I John 3: 1) It is the manner of love which  pulls the soul out of the depth of the pit and establishes its going, and love that proclaims  the soul “shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)   It is also love that “crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.”  This is the way the Lord loves His saints.  His lovingkindness transcends all bounds.  “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes.”  (Psalm 26: 3)   Not only does the Lord abound with lovingkindness toward his chosen, but He also showers upon them His tender mercies.  Daily, He beckens the soul to come before the “throne of grace” that it may receive “mercy and find grace  to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16)  “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever:  with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)  Thanks be to God, the Holy God for such forgiveness, healing, lovingkindness, tender mercies, and faithfulness.  Bless the Lord, O my soul!