Sunday, March 2, 2014 pm
STUDIES IN PSALMS
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Psalm 103
In our studies of the Psalms and other portions of the Old
Testament there are many lessons we can learn and apply.
While we are not under the Old Law anymore, we are told in Romans
15:4 that these things were written for our learning that we might have
hope. AS I have frequently
emphasized in our study of the psalms – we learn about who God is and
how He is praised in our words.
Tonight we examine the 103rd Psalm.
This is a psalm with many lessons in it for us, as we examine the
mercy of God. It is
attributed to David and that is all we are told of its background.
As you read through this psalm, you find the message very generic
– that is applicable at all times in one’s life.
Yet, some as they see this believe David wrote it later in his
life as he was looking back – a plausible consideration.
This psalm is a reminder to each of us to not forget God!
a.
David’s personal
challenge to “bless the Lord”.
The term “bless” is a word that means to kneel before and to speak well
of. This term is used many
times in the Old Testament and associated with praise – sometimes toward
God, at times by God and at other times between men.
OUR text is a clear call for an acknowledgment of God by both humbly
bowing before Him AND speaking well of Him.
b.
“O my Soul”
- David is here speaking to himself.
Do we from time to time stop and contemplate the goodness of God
and “bless Him”? How much
God has blessed us?
c.
All that is within me, bless His holy name
– bless Him with your all.
I am reminded of the greatest commandment, “You shall love the Lord your
God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30)
This is a very PERSONAL time!
We frequently emphasize our public worship, but what our private
worship? Our prayers and
time studying and meditating on His word.
Praising Him in our minds.
If we will give Him due praise throughout the week, it will be
reflected in our attitude when we are privileged to assemble together
with one another. Friends, that
is where genuine praise is found before Him.
You can’t fake it!
Cf. Matt. 6:6 – pray “in your room”
d.
Forget not all His
benefits
– (2-5)
Benefits means the rewards (or recompense) we receive.
We are blessed so abundantly by our God.
We sometimes sing the song, “Count your many blessings” – that is
the idea of this expression.
Consider again Ephesians 1:3-14 and the numerous blessings He has
bestowed upon us.
They are many and on this occasion David remembers a few of them.
Some that David mentioned include:
i.
He forgives our iniquities – our spiritual blessings.
Eph. 1:7
ii.
He heals our diseases – not miraculously today, but He has given us bodies that do a pretty
good job of healing AND we have wisdom and resources that can facilitate
healing. Furthermore, godly
living reduces our chance of poor health.
iii.
He redeems life from destruction – spiritually, God has made it possible for us to be
delivered from our condemnation. And
physically, following His instructions can prevent destruction in many
ways.
iv.
He crowns us with loving-kindness and tender mercies
– perhaps this is a description of how He ABUNDANTLY blesses us, far
beyond what we deserve. He
is kind to us even when we are not kind to Him as we ought to be?
David will emphasize this more as this psalm progresses.
James 1:17 – every good and perfect gift…”
v.
He satisfies our mouth with good things – food, etc.
Jesus, in teaching about prayer, said to pray to God for our
daily bread (Matt. 6:11)
So that your youth renewed like eagle’s wings.
Sustenance that is plentiful enough to give you strength.
a.
In this section, the
psalmist at least mentions Israel.
He notes more of His blessings
b.
He executes
righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed –
We have frequently addressed the righteousness and justice of God in our
studies of the psalms.
Here we are reminded that God cares about all and has made provisions
for the poor. Continually we
are reminded to remember the poor and needy.
James 1:27, Acts 20:35
c.
He made His ways known to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel
– giving Moses the Law for the people. God
has revealed to us His will.
That is an act demonstrating His righteousness.
When Paul described the benefit of the Law for Israel over
Gentiles Paul noted in Romans 3:1-2 speaks of their advantage “because
to them was committed the oracles of God.”
Similarly, we have been given “all things that pertain to life and
godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3)
Israel had no excuse for disobeying God, and neither do we.
d.
His mercy
(8-14)
i.
In the verses that
follow, David elaborates upon God’s mercy in forgiving us our sins.
ii.
His character that makes
that forgiveness possible - He is merciful and gracious.
His mercy demonstrates how He does NOT give us the punishment we
deserve. His graciousness
(akin to grace in the NT) demonstrates His giving what we DON’T deserve
– He is compassionate and generous.
iii.
Slow to anger
– we think of His “longsuffering” – 2 Pet. 3:9, Rom. 2:4 says, “Or
do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and
longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to
repentance?”
iv.
He will NOT always strive (chide – KJV) with us and remain angry– HE forgives us
and forgets. (cf. Jer. 31:34, cf. Heb. 8:12).
In this expression, whether it was intended or not, I am also reminded
of the limits of God’s patience and tolerance.
While His longsuffering endures, it does has its limits. Just as
He destroyed the world with flood, Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and
brimstone, and judged nations, including Israel and Judah, so it will be
with us. Do NOT test Him!
v.
He forgives abundantly. Vs. 10 notes “He
has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according
to our iniquities.” How
much more do we deserve (in punishment) than what we have received when
we consider how we behave from time to time?
There are so many examples of this including the prodigal son for whom
the father was waiting to come home and anxious to forgive (Luke 15:20).
Vs. 11-12 both describe
the abundance of His forgiveness
1) His mercy is as great as the heavens are high above the earth (Cf.
Eph. 2:4-7)
2) Our transgressions are so far removed – as far as the east is from
the west. Again see Jer.
31:34.
3) Vs. 13 – He has pitied us as a father pities his children – the depth
of His love. Be again
reminded of how a father deals with a son.
(cf. Heb. 12:5-11)
4) WHOM does He pity?
Those who fear Him.
Let us NEVER think that we have no part in obtaining forgiveness.
1 John 1:6-7, 9 demonstrate this.
a.
Vs. 14 – He knows our
frame. We cannot rightly say
that God does not understand us.
David said, ““O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You
know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar
off.” (Psalm 139:1–2) Heb.
4:13 tells us “there is no
creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the
eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
While as this psalm was
being penned, it could not yet be said that He sent Jesus to this earth
to reveal Him to us and to reveal us to Him, we can see that God has
always known man.
b.
Vs. 14-16 -
ONE thing God knows well is our
temporal nature - three descriptions are given
i.
He remembers that we are
dust – Eccl. 12:7
ii.
Man’s days are like
grass – 1 Peter 1:24, Jas. 1:10-11
iii.
And like the wind – Isa.
40:7, James 4:14 – our life is a vapor
iv.
BECAUSE of such things
Moses said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom.” (Psa. 90:12)
c.
Vs. 17-18 – In contrast:
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting and from
generation to generation.
i.
Many passages of
scripture remind us of the depth of God’s love and mercy for us.
2 Thess. 2:13-14 tells us we were chosen from the beginning (it was in
God’s plan)
ii.
BUT again David reminds
us that this is NOT unconditional.
It is “On those who fear Him” – it is the fearful who obey!
Remember the warning of Jesus about whom we should fear – Matt.
10:28 – fear Him who is able to destroy your soul…
iii.
His righteousness for
generations - to such as keep His covenant and remember His
commandments. Whom does the
Lord know - 1John 2:3-4,
3:24
a.
David concludes this
psalm with a call for ALL of creation to bless the Lord!
b.
Vs 19 notes that He has
established His throne in heaven – that is His dominion over all.
c.
Vs. 20 calls for the
angels to bless – excelling in strength and doing His word.
These are the ministers who do His will.
d.
Vs. 21 - Bless the Lord
you hosts – the term “hosts” can refer to a number of things, leaders,
the heavenly bodies of creation (sun, moon, stars, planets, etc.). but
it could also be a description of His angels as they are called
ministers of His will –Heb. 1:14
reminds us of the work of angels.
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister
for those who will inherit salvation?”
To what degree angels minister today we cannot say with
certainty, but I know there are many misconceptions about them and their
work. Let us suffice to
accept they are God’s servants who carry out His will on our behalf.
e.
Bless the Lord all His
works in all places of His dominion.
LET everywhere acknowledge Him!