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PSALM

CHAPTER 103

1 A Psalm of David. 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: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Again, let me say, that to "bless" the Lord, is to praise, honor and worship Him.

Here, David praises God for the blessings that he has received in his life. God has forgiven, healed, redeemed, poured out mercy, satisfied, and renewed strength.

When we consider how much God has done for us individually, we need to "bless" His Holy Name!

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

God delivers all those who are oppressed with sin, if they will come to Him.

Through His Word, God has made known righteousness and judgment (deliverance).

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

We can praise God because He is "slow to anger." He is merciful.

Though God will not ALWAYS hold His anger, He IS dealing with us in mercy today - because He is offering salvation and help.

Verse 12 is a wonderful statement. As far East as you can go, you will never meet West! And God has removed our sins that far!

God loves his children, and treats them as a loving Father (verse 13).

He knows that we are in temporary bodies and wants to deliver us to eternal bodies.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

If we surrender to God and obey Him, then He will bring us to an eternal home where His mercy will continue forever!

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

God is the RULER of all things (verse 19).

The angels, who live in the presence of His strength "bless" His Name and obey Him continually (verse 20).

So should we ("His hosts") bless His Name wherever we may be.

And we should individually make a "covenant" with God to praise, honor and worship Him continually.

CHAPTER 104

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

God is "clothed" with honor and majesty, and is wrapped eternally in illumination, or truth (verses 1-2).

The beauty of God is seen reflected in the waters and He is OMNIPRESENT, even in the clouds and wind.

God has provided for you and me angels that are "ministers" to help us.

God is eternal (verse 5).

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

When God first created the earth, there was a canopy of water "above the mountains" (above the atmosphere) which sheltered the earth. But when God brought the flood in Noah's day, He dumped the waters upon the earth.

Yet God, in His omniscience, has worked out a way where the waters do not flood the earth, and we are still given a place to live and know Him.

10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

God causes the waters of the earth to flow in such a way as to be useful to the animal kingdom and to mankind.

14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

Just look at all God is doing right now to help us. He grows the grass and the trees. He provides the hills, and keeps the moon in its rotation to provide seasons. The Lord, gives nighttime for man to have rest, and awakens us with light.

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

This is a doxology, set in the middle of the verses which acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainor of our universe.

Indeed, we should "bless the Lord" for all He does for us!

25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

All that happens in this universe happens because of God. God provided our sustenance (verses 27-28). God gives and God takes life according to His appointment of time for us (verses 29-30).

31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

God is eternal, and He Himself rejoices in His works because they are perfect according to His plan.

We should be as the Psalmist and praise God for His majesty and goodness.

As we praise God, our "meditation" (or thoughts of Him) are SWEET!

35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

The land of the world today contains sinners who do not acknowledge God and cause trouble in this beautiful place where we are given life.

But the land of joy and hope in glory with God will not contain sinners.

That wonderful land, without sin and sinners, will contain those who have committed to "Bless the LORD!"

Have you made that commitment to God?

Please continue in Bible Study with us.