Psalm 103
I'd like to encourage you with one of my favorite Psalms. So many of the Psalms focus on God’s goodness and, as we meditate on God’s character, we’re conformed more into the image of His Son, Jesus.
Specifically, I’d like to highlight that God is gracious and God is Lord. We can dwell securely in His good kingship.
First, here’s one translation of the Psalm itself.
(The World English Bible is copyright free.)
1 Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!
2 Praise Yahweh, my soul, And don't forget all his benefits;
3 Who forgives all your sins; Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from destruction; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfies your desire with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 Yahweh executes righteous acts, And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, His deeds to the children of Israel.
8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always accuse; Neither will he stay angry forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us for our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. Its place remembers it no more.
17 But Yahweh's lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, His righteousness to children's children;
18 To those who keep his covenant, To those who remember to obey his precepts.
19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, Who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, Obeying the voice of his word.
21 Praise Yahweh, all you hosts of his, You servants of his, who do his pleasure.
22 Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, In all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul.
Of course, the Psalm begins and ends with the command to one's own soul to praise the Lord. Many Psalms include this same “inclusio" or “sandwich” bookends. It is proper for us, in all seasons, to remember that God is worthy of praise. This is healing for us too as we gain a true perspective of situations in the world and in our own lives and families.
We’re told to remember His good benefits. Scripture often exhorts us to remember and to be thankful.
Some well-known verses include:
8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. (Cf. Exodus 34:6-7 and elsewhere).
And:
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
Verses that focus on God’s love and mercy include: 2-6, 8-13, and 17. This everlasting love is contrasted with the relative brevity of human life (14-17).
Verses that feature obedience, fearing God, His dominion and such include 11, 13, and 17-22.
We are all sinners who can’t be good on our own but, through Christ Jesus, we have access to our loving Creator who can be trusted and obeyed as we submit to His Spirit’s leadership. May God be praised for His marvelous goodness!
In Jesus,
Ruth