No laments in our next psalm written by King David—only praise of who God is and what He has done for us!  Praise flows easily from David’s prose for God who is unfailing in His love and always faithful to help us.  David brings us to a place of worship of God ourselves as he fills our hearts, minds, and souls with glory and honor for our Lord God who created all and made us in His own image with the bonus of an intimate growing relationship with Him.  But wait, there’s more!

When sin got in the way, God made a Way that no human deserved; but our relationship with God was of extreme importance to Him. So, God took extreme measures to pursue, teach and heal humans then demonstrate His extreme love for us by sacrificing a part of Himself, Jesus, His Son, for our sins in a cruel, excruciating way that paid the debt of sin we owe once and for all.  There is no one like our God!  God is Love.  His love is like no other love in the world.

David was a sinner who was forgiven by His God.  “Bless the Lord, O my soul” is not just read as a declaration but felt this morning by this writer as I think of my own sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ shed for all who believe.  Indeed, we bless the Holy Name of God with thanksgiving and praise for Jesus who redeemed us from sin that blocked us from God. We can do this for ourselves—only Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice provided relationship with the God who made us and completely and faithfully loved us first. Our God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and God’s Holy Spirit work together to teach us all that is Truth with the Way to receive Eternal Life.  Wow.  Let us remember this as we read Psalm 103 with grateful hearts.

God is…

Psalm 103, The Message

Of David.

^1-2 O my soul, bless God.
    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
    don’t forget a single blessing!

^3-5     He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

^6-18 God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.

As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said.

^19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
    he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
    ready and able to fly at his bidding,
    quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
    alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
    everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Believe in the Lord Jesus and what He has done to redeem us. Repent of the sins that hold us in bondage with death as the only ending to our story if we do not let go and grab the gift that Jesus has provided—reconciliation with God!  Surrender to Him as Lord of our lives for His ways are perfect and pleasing and will lead us how to humbly walk with God daily.  But that’s not all—all who believe receive the gift of eternal life.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! This is the new song we sing of God with glad hearts!  For we were once headed on the road to death; but Christ intervened and led us to Life!  Our part is to believe and accept the gift of salvation and be set free from our sins!  All good gifts come from God, the Father of all that is Good.

Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship your holy name

The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship your holy name
You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10, 000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing your praise unending
10, 000 years and then forever more…

(Source: Musixmatch, Songwriters: Jonas Myrin / Matthew James Redman,10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) lyrics © Worshiptogether.com Songs, Sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, Atlas Mountain Songs)

Lord,

This is my praise to you this morning. Thank you for all you have done to save my soul.  I am eternally grateful.

In Jesus Name, for Your Glory, Amen