Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 09 August 2020
Text: Psalm 103
Title: “Bless the LORD, O my soul”
(LIVE)

INTRODUCTION

1. The Psalms teach many things

a) About Problems in life

b) About Personal Life

c) About Prayer

d) About Praise

2. Difficulties encountered

a) Prayer

i) We don’t pray as much

ii) Problems in life affect us adversely

b) Personal Life

i) Many sins

ii) They need to be dealt with

c) Problems in Life

i) They can be many

ii) They never seem to be fully resolved

3. Blessing the Lord

a) This can be learned

i) From the Scriptures

ii) From the Psalmists and other Biblical writers

b) This can be cultivated

i) If we put our heart and mind into it!

ii) If our hearts and minds are deeply impacted

TAKING THE TIME TO COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
(Psalm 103)

1. Remembering God’s blessings
Listing some Blessings:

a) Forgiveness of sins
“Who forgives all your iniquities” Psalm 103:3a

b) Healing of diseases
“Who heals all your diseases” Psalm 103:3b

c) Redemption from destruction
“Who redeems your life from destruction” Psalm 103:4a

d) Crowning blessing of tender mercies and loving kindness
“Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies” Psalm 103:4b

e) Good things of life so that youth is renewed
“Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles” Psalm 103:5

2. Reflecting on the meaning of God’s blessings

a) How these blessings are stated

i) This is not a reflection of Past blessings

ii) Every statement is in the Present Tense

iii) This is a declaration of appreciation of how God continues to bless!

b) The blessings show us what God is like

i) He is merciful and gracious

“The LORD is merciful and gracious
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy” Psalm 103:8

“But the mercy of the LORD
is from everlasting to everlasting” Psalm 103:17a

ii) He is Righteous
“And His righteousness
To children’s children” Psalm 103:17b

iii) He is King
“The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all” Psalm 103:19

iv) He is abounding in mercy

v) He does not keep His anger

vi) He has not dealt with us according to our sins

vii) He is a faithful God and Father who loves to bless His people

3. Recipients of the LORD’s blessings

a) Those who fear Him
“For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” Psalm 103:11

b) Those who keep of His covenant
“To such as keep His covenant” Psalm 103:18a

c) Those who obey His commandments
“And to those who remember His commandments
To do them” Psalm 103:18b

i) Remembering

ii) Doing

RESPONDING TO THE LORD APPROPRIATELY

1. A Call to our Soul: To bless the LORD

a) A Call to bless God
“Bless the LORD” Psalm 103:1a

b) A Call to muster the Soul to bless God
“Bless the LORD, O my soul” Psalm 103:1b

c) A Call to every part of the human being
“And all that is within me” Psalm 103:1c

d) A Call to bless God’s name
“Bless His holy name” Psalm 103:1d

e) Never to be forgotten
“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not His benefits” Psalm 103:2b

2. A Call to Others: To bless the Lord’s name

a) Angels
“Bless the LORD, you His angels” Psalm 103:20a

i) Powerful angels
“Who excel in strength” Psalm 103:20b

ii) Performing His will
“Who do His word” Psalm 103:20c

iii) Full obedience
“Heeding the voice of His word” Psalm 103:20c

b) All servants of God

i) Many are the servants of God
“All you His host” Psalm 103:21a

ii) Humble servants
“You ministers of His” Psalm 103:21b

iii) Doing what pleases God
“Who do His pleasure” Psalm 103:21b

c) Everyone

i) His creation and redemption
“All His works” Psalm 103:22a

ii) Every part of the world
“In all places of His dominion” Psalm 103:22b

CONCLUSION

1. Let us seek to walk worthy of the Lord’s blessings

a) Fear Him

b) Keep His covenant

c) Obey Him

2. Let us learn how to bless the Lord’s name

a) Personally

b) Corporately

3. Let us go deeper in our understanding

a) In comprehension of the extent of God’s blessings

b) In appreciation of the depth of His blessings

4. Let us practise blessing His name always

a) From the depth of our soul

b) With all that makes us who we are