Day 616: Psalm 103- Preach To Yourself

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
 
 
Meditation
God’s grace wants your soul to join the song celebrating God’s faithfulness. Tim Keller, in his book, Walking With God Through Pain And Suffering, says that when our hearts say, “it is hopeless!” We should argue back! David gives us lyrics for praise, a song to sing even in seasons of struggle.
 
“Bless the Lord, oh my soul!” is the invitation that begins and ends the song, an imperative backed by the personal, familial, and historical faithfulness of God.
 
Personal (2-5): God’s grace gives your soul benefits. God forgives, heals, redeems, and crowns you with His steadfast love, satisfying your soul to renew your strength.
 
Familial (6-14): As a Father has compassion on His children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  His mercy, grace, and steadfast love are revealed in making His ways known to His children, forgiving our transgressions and removing our sins as far as the east is from the west. God’s grace welcomes us into His love. Our father knows us intimately and loves us completely.
 
Historical (15-22): God’s steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting and His righteousness is for our children’s children to celebrate. This song is for all creation and all celestial beings. We are grass. God’s grace is everlasting! God rules from His throne in Heaven and His dominion is all the earth. By His eternal decree we find security- nothing can separate us from God’s love!
 
Preach to yourself and argue with your soul! Use these lyrics to join heaven and earth in praise to the Lord.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is your soul downcast? Do you need to argue with your soul and preach to yourself?
 
-God’s faithfulness fuels our hope. Which argument speaks most clearly to you- personal, familial, or historical?
 
-Jesus is the fullness of God’s love and faithfulness. Take a moment to meditate on how Christ’s love fulfills all of these promises for you. Re-orient your heart with God’s faithfulness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
 
Key Verses
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,