I love this psalm! David is talking to his soul here and commanding himself in the light of the knowledge of who God Is and what He Is like:
"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," - Psalm 103:1-2 ESV
It isn't a psalm asking God for something. It is a psalm where a man tells his own soul to be a blessing because God has removed burdens and self-occupation...
"...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." - Psalm 103:3-8 ESV
Yes. God is the merciful and gracious One. He redeems and we don't have to redeem ourselves. Meditating on Him renews us like an eagle is renewed.
"He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:9-12 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. The burden of sin is lifted. Jesus came to Earth after this was written and did what was promised here. Jesus satisfied the anger and justice of God. He does not deal with us after our sins. They are taken away. He does not repay us for our mental rebellion (iniquity). If you are in awe of God then through Jesus you and I can see God's wide, deep and far-reaching love.
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." - Psalm 103:13-16 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Life is short on the Earth. I want to spend my time being a blessing. I can't strive to do this. It isn't payback. It is me beholding God and taking my eyes off myself. It is me spending the day with Him and making His priorities my priorities.
"But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." - Psalm 103:17-19 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul, because God Is on His throne and the Devil is a liar.
"Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!" - Psalm 103:20-22 ESV
I love how this turns at the end. David is drunk with the power of this revelation. He Is telling the angels and demons what to do.
It reminds me of this passage...
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14 KJV
We look around at a world that doesn't seem in awe of God but we apply the cross and say, 'Look at Him! He is awe-inspiring!'
I talk to my soul in liberty today. I tell it to be free and point to Christ and say, 'Be free because of Him. Let Him set you free.'
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