The psalms are full of great examples of praise and lament. There are many I go to often, but Psalm 103 is probably my favorite. Let’s dive in for a closer look.

A psalm of David.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,

I often forget to praise God for all he has done. These first two verses remind me to take time to praise -- for how God is working in my own life but also because of the examples given in the next few verses:
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.

Aren’t these some great reminders!? Our mind often knows these things, but we need to preach to our hearts who God is and all He has given us.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

I have referenced this in a previous blog, but as a reminder, God is not like us.

Dane Ortland, in his book “Gentle and Lowly” says this:

“…God’s anger requires provocation; his mercy is pent up, ready to gush forth. We tend to think: divine anger is pent up, spring loaded; divine mercy is slow to build. It’s just the opposite. Divine mercy is ready to burst forth at the slightest prick. (For fallen humans, we learn in the New Testament, this is reversed. We are to provoke one another to love, according to Hebrews 10:24. Yahweh needs no provoking to love, only to anger. We need no provoking to anger, only love...)” (Ortlund, p. 148-149)

I need little provocation to become angry. I need quite a bit of nudging to love others the way God commands us to. In my humanness, it makes sense that I think of God being the same way – quick to anger, slow to mercy. But it is the opposite. Exodus 34:6 is almost identical to Psalm 103 in expressing God’s character. “… merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

“God is slow to anger, provides for our forgiveness and then remembers our sins no more” (Timothy and Kathy Keller, “The Songs of Jesus,” pg. 254). This section of Psalm 103 is a great reminder of that.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

I just love this imagery. Close your eyes and just picture the height of the heavens. That’s how much He loves us. Now think of the eastern horizon and the western. Once we confess, that’s how far removed we are from our sins. Amazing.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Often, I can easily become wrapped up in the stressors and hardships of things of this world. This section reminds me that my struggles are temporary and my time on earth is fleeting, but God’s love for me is forever and He reigns over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The psalm ends reminding us to praise.

I encourage you to read over the psalm again, maybe listen to it, and really meditate on what it’s saying. There are so many good reminders, and it always uplifts my spirits. I hope it does yours as well.

ABOUT OUR BLOGGER

Danielle (Dani) Rupp grew up in a small town in Ohio and is a true Buckeye fan, though she tries not to be obnoxious about it. In 2011 she came to PA to earn her Master of Social Work degree. After graduation Dani accepted a position as a mental health therapist for children and adolescents in Coatesville. She was a nanny for several years as well. During that time she lived in Kennett Square and attended Willowdale Chapel. She returned several years ago from South Asia where she learned to tolerate spicy food and cross the roads without being hit, as well as volunteered with International Justice Mission in their Aftercare Department. In her free time, Dani enjoys going on mission trips/traveling, running, reading, and connecting with loved ones—preferably over coffee and a sweet treat.

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