Bless The Lord, O My Soul

Psalm 103:1-22

A Psalm of David.

“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.” Psalm 103:1-5)

The Hebrew word translated bless means to kneel in respect, to show adoration, to praise.  The psalmist, believed to be David, encourages himself to show adoration and respect for God, and for his holy name.  He reminds himself to remember what God has done for him.  He supplies his daily food, forgives him of his sin, he keeps him healthy, and spares his life in potentially fatal situations.  He also causes him to be treated with kindness and respect and not with the cruelty he deserves, giving him pleasure in this life, making him feel young and hopeful. 

“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.” (Psalm 103:6-9

God enforces righteousness, and guarantees justice for everyone who has been oppressed and taken advantage of.  He has given guidelines as to what is acceptable by his law and his treatment of Israel and I Corinthians 1:11 tells us, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”  We don’t have to try to guess what is right.  He has also demonstrated his mercy, grace and patience in hos he treated them.  Best of all, he does not constantly bring up our past mistakes and hold them against us, but puts them out of his mind so that we can rebuild the relationship. 

“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.” (Psalm 103:10-14)

God knows us like a father knows his children and recognizes we don’t always understand or think about the consequences and effects of our actions.  He knows we are human and periodically do things that are not like they should be, and takes that into account, rather than punishing us unreasonably for our mistakes, although he does deal with deliberate sin.   Once a sin has been dealt with, he puts it as far away as the east is from the west, even though we may not have reaped the maximum punishment that we deserved. 

“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. “ (Psalm 103:15-18)

It is so important we begin to realize how insignificant we are when compared to God.  He is eternal, while our life is so short as to be almost meaningless.   We are like a little weed or flower that grows quickly, then dies and a few hours later has dried up and blown away.  God’s mercy and blessings continue for eternity for those who love him, and his righteousness is carried over to future generations.  John 14:21 states, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”   He will show his blessings to those who care enough to obey. 

“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.” (Psalm 103:19-22)

God has already prepared his throne for ruling the whole earth, and has already defeated Satan, and although there is still resistance, it is just a matter of time before the conflict ends.   Everyone from his angels to the least servant who serves him should take time to kneel before him and worship, thanking him and praising his name.