PSALM 103

Published September 24, 2008

Psalm 103:1 A Psalm of David. 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:
Notice it doesn’t say “remember all of his benefits.” We couldn’t possibly remember them all.
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
God can and will heal you it is a matter of – do you believe.
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The eagle that this is talking about is a special type of eagle that, when its feathers get old, tucks its wings and dives full speed into the water thus knocking his feathers off. The eagle swims to shore and his feathers grow back. Once they are grown back the eagle looks like a young bird. God will do that for us. He will take the chaff out of our lives and renew our lives so that we walk with a bounce in our step and a smile on our face. We will radiate, glow, with that new youthful energy.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The Bible says that God talked to Moses face to face. It does not say that about any other prophet. The children of Israel saw that great signs miracles and wonders but only to Moses did God tell the whys and the wherefores.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
The fear that this is talking about is not the terror type of fear but a deep respect or reverence. Any place you see “fear” in this Psalm replace it with the word “reverence.”
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Pitieth is not what we think of pity nowadays. It means to have compassion.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
The word “angels” is the Hebrew word Mal’ak. Mal’ak is translated angels 111 times and messengers 98 times. One example of this is in Genesis chapter 32.
Genesis 32: 3 And Jacob sent messengers (Mal’ak) before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. The word “angels in verse 20 would be better translated as messengers.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Let us not forget all the benefits of God and let us thank Him for what we have. He is The God of heaven and earth. He is the God of all comfort and he loves us. “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

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