Psalm 103

PSALM 103
There are some passages of Scripture that stand out to a person more than others. So it is with
Psalm 103. This psalm blesses my life every time I read it. So, I would like to share it with you
now.
Psalm 103:1-22 (KJV)
1 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:
This is a psalm authored by God, but, written by King David. God knows the heart of a man and
David’s heart was to bless the Lord. If you have ever read about David he relied totally on God.
Very few men, when they became king, lived all their natural born days. Most were killed. But,
David relied on God. He would not harm King Saul because King Saul was “God’s anointed.”
David trusted time and time again in God’s hand of deliverance and time and time again God
took care of David. When you have a relationship like that with the One True God your heart
bubbles over with praises to Jehovah God.
Look at what verse two says. “and forget not all his benefits.” It doesn’t say to remember them
all. Who could remember all of God’s benefits? But, we can remember some of them.
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
There are two things in healing, forgiveness of sins and healing. It is like this all the way through
the Bible. Jesus said “which is easier to say your sins be forgiven or to say, Arise and walk?”
(Matt.9:5) It is just as easy to say one as the other BUT both are an important part of the healing
process.
Now the last part of this verse, is it true or is it a lie? Let me just shout it ALL THY DISEASES.
This is the truth of God. It is available to YOU. Not someday. Not in the sweet by and by. Right
now it is available to YOU!
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender
mercies;
God is not a God of suffering and punishment to His people. God is a God of love and
tenderness. We as Christians are sons of God, David was a servant of God. We have so much
more than they did in the Old Testament and, yet, we have been talked out of it. Look how God
protects YOU and He will crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies! Mercy is God’s
withholding of merited judgement. My Dad did that for me. There were times when I was
growing up when I should have been punished, but, instead my Dad took me in his arms and
gave me a hug. That’s tender mercy. That’s what God does for us.
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The eagle that is talked about here is a special eagle found in the Middle East. This eagle, when
its feathers got old, flies high in the sky and tuck it wings and dive into the water thus stripping
all the old feathers off. It makes its way to shore and hides among the bushes until its new
feathers grow out. It looks new and its feathers beautiful. God is waiting to do that for you each
and every day of your life. All you have to do is believe. Believe His Word, believe His promises
and act on them and watch God go to work for you!
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.
This is beautiful. All of the Children of Israel that were lead by Moses saw all the great miracles
that God did by the hand of Moses. They saw the parting of the Red Sea, they walk through the
Red Sea on dry ground. They tasted of the manna. The Children of Israel saw all of this, but,
only to Moses did God make known the whys and the wherefores. Moses was such a great and
meek man that the Bible says that God knew him face to face. (Deut. 34:10)
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.
If we could only believe this and walk day by day with this knowledge in the forefront of our
thinking. What a day that would be!
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
The word “fear” is better translated respect or reverence. God doesn’t want you to be afraid of
Him. He is your father. Earlier in this psalm it talks about tender mercies and loving kindness.
How could He talk about loving kindness and tender mercies and expect people to be afraid of
Him. He doesn’t! He wants you to respect His Word and do what He says. He wrote the rule
book of life. It is only logical to do what His Word says to reap the rewards.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
There is a point that if you go North you can’t go any further North and then you have to go
South. South and North meet at the North pole and at the South pole. However, East never meets
West. That is how far He has removed our transgressions from us. We will Never be reminded of
them again. Not by God. If you are ever reminded of them it is by the devil and you can tell him
or whoever brings it up to go jump in a lake! God took it away from you AND He won’t
remember it ever again.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear (reverence) him.
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 (reverence)
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 word 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