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Bless the LORD, O My Soul, and Forget Not All His Benefits

Text: Psalm 103
27 January 2019

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL

1. What does it mean to “bless”?

a. The word “bless” is to be understood in the context of the synonyms used in the Psalms
i. Give thanks
ii. Praise
iii. Bless
iv. Extol
v. Exalt
b. Meaning of the word “bless”
i. To speak well of someone
ii. To use good / acceptable words to do so

2. How should we bless the Lord?

a. Use good words / acceptable words to praise the Lord
b. To bless the Lord from deep within us
i. From our soul
ii. With all that is within us

REASONS WHY WE SHOULD BLESS THE LORD

1. Because of what God has done and continues to do (v3 – 5)

a. Who forgives all your iniquities
b. Who heals all your diseases
c. Who redeems your life from destruction
d. Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies
e. Who satisfies your mouth with good things

2. Because of His relationship to us (v8)

a. Learning lessons about the mercy of God
i. From history
ii. From personal life experiences
b. From history
Psalm 103: 8
“The LORD is merciful and gracious
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy”
Cf. Exodus 34: 6
“The LORD, the LORD GOD, merciful and gracious
longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth”
Exodus 32 – 34
i. The people of Israel had committed a great sin
ii. The wrath of God was hot against them
iii. Moses interceded for them
iv. The wrath of God was turned away
v. Great mercy was shown
c. From personal life experiences
Cf. Psalm 25 – David struggled badly with his sins
He pleaded for God’s mercy
i. “Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions,
according to Your mercy remember me” (v7)
ii. “Pardon my iniquity, for it is great” (v11)
iii. “Turn Yourself to me and have mercy on me” (v16)
iv. ‘Forgive all my sins” (v18)

APPLYING LESSONS LEARNT ABOUT THE MERCY OF GOD

1. Concerning the anger of the Lord (v9)

a. He does not keep His anger forever
b. He will not always strive with us

2. Concerning our sins (v10)

a. He has not dealt with us according to our sins
b. Nor punished us according to our iniquities

3. Deep appreciation for the God’s mercy (v11 – 14)

Different imagery used
a. As the heavens are high above the earth
So great is His mercy towards those who fear Him
b. As far as the east is from the west
So far has He removed our transgressions from us
c. As a father pities His children
So the LORD pities those who fear Him
He knows our frame
He remembers that we are dust

4. Even deeper appreciation for God’s mercy when it is compared with man
(v15 – 18)

a. As for man
i. His days are like grass
ii. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes for a time
iii. Soon it is gone, and is not remembered
b. God’s mercy in contrast
i. From everlasting to everlasting
ii. His righteousness to children’s children

RESPONDING BY BLESSING THE LORD

Who should bless the Lord?

1. David begins personally (v1 – 2)

“Bless the LORD, O my soul
And all that is within me, bless His holy name”

2. David extends it to the congregation (v3 – 5)

“Who forgives all your iniquities
Who heals all your diseases”

3. David extends it further to all in the Kingdom of God (v19 – 22)

a. His kingdom rules over all (v19)
b. His angels (v20)
c. His hosts (v21)
d. All His works (v22)