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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Psalm Chapter 103

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the Sons of Korah
Date Penned: (1440-586 BC)
Overview: Poetry for the Expression of Praise and Worship to God (c 1-150)
Theme: The Fourth Book of Psalms (c 90-106)
Message: God's great love for us (v 1-22)

Psalms 103 Commentary 

(103:1) Praising God - David's praise focuses on all the good God was doing for him. It's easy to find reasons to complain about life, but David's list gives us plenty for which to praise God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life's journey, you can always count your blessings-past, present, and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read David's list. 


(103:7) God's Training Manual - God's law was given first to Moses and the people of Israel. God's law presents a clear picture of his character and will for his people. It was God's training manual to prepare his people to serve him and to follow his ways. Review the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the history of how they were given, asking God to show you his will and his ways through them. 

(103:12) God's Forgiveness - East and west can never meet. This is a symbolic portrait of God's forgiveness--when he forgives our sin, he separates it from us so that it can never come back to condemn us. God forgives and forgets, so we don't need to wallow in the past. God forgives us totally, repeatedly, and lavishly, not because he has to, but because he is good and loves us. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiped the record clean. If we are to follow God, we must accept his forgiveness and encourage others to do the same. When we forgive someone, we must treat them as though we have actually forgotten their sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven them. 

(103:13-14) God's Mercy - We are fragile, but God's care is eternal. Too often we focus on God as Judge and Lawgiver, ignoring his compassion and concern for us. When God examines our lives, he remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification or an excuse for sin. But his mercy takes all our weaknesses into account. God will deal with you compassionately. Trust him. 

(103:13) God's Compassion - God is like a father -tender and compassionate. Not every child has a tender and compassionate father, however. Too often, sadly, cycles of abuse and dysfunction rob children of loving fathers. If that is your situation, God offers himself to you to be the Father you never had or perhaps felt you never needed. Of course, you can't go fishing or play soccer with God or be held physically by him, but you can receive his love in your heart by means of his Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). God can tenderly heal any deep loss you have suffered. 

(103:20-22) Blessing God - Everything and everyone everywhere is to bless the Lord. That includes us! Even the mighty angels praise him. This gives us more than just a poetic picture. God rules in heaven today, so we can be confident that he is in control even if we cannot see it (Revelation 5:11-13). Blessing God means remembering all he has done for us (Psalm 10312), fearing him and obeying his commands (10317-18), and doing his will (103:21). Does your life bless the Lord?


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Bless the Lord


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Psalms with Chapter 103. In our text today, we see a theme of God's great love for us. A simple truth that shows us who God is and His Character. In making an application, we see what the Psalmist proclaims. Bless the Lord o my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. These are more than just words on a page; they are a truth that transcends time and shows a tremendous love for us. How about you? Do you see how much the Lord Loves you? Let us learn from our Psalm and text today to remember how much God loves you so you too will proclaim the truth of the Lord that says, "Bless the Lord o my soul: and all that is in me, bless his Holy Name. 

 

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Psalm 103

Psalm 103

 1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

 7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

 9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

 15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

 17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

 18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

 19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

 20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

 21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

 22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.