Dear God, how can a psalm so simple express all the gratitude I feel towards you and your sovereignty over all the earth.
Recently, I read this psalm written by David and I knew I would write about it. You know, the first time I heard this psalm was in the version of a song. I didn’t know just yet that it was Psalm 103 but I loved it so much.
Just like the Psalms we know, I want you to know how unique Psalm 103 is. There are times when you hear some psalms and you are thinking about how many times you have heard it before.
Granted that you may have heard or read Psalm 103 multiple times, I would like for you to drop any familiarity and see the awesome nature of God.
David’s Thoughts
I certainly do not know what David was thinking when he wrote this psalm. All I know is the psalm is an expression of gratitude to God for who he is and all he does.
I always thought of David as a man of few words until I read the book of Psalms. David is very specific about every Psalm he wrote, each one serving a unique purpose.
David was quite explicit with this psalm because he blessed the Lord through it. Actually, he told his soul to bless God and then gave reason for why God should be blessed.
Bless: to express Gratitude to or thank someone
Who knows what David was going through when he wrote the psalm. What matters is that he blessed God through it, Can you say that about yourself?
Do you bless God in and out of season? If you don’t, it’s okay to start now . Sometimes, our long list of prayers do not allow us to appreciate God for all the wonders he does. Maybe you and I can start to appreciate God for even the “littlest” things he does.
The Benefits
Like I said earlier, David gave his reasons on why God should be blessed and he mentioned some benefits which I believe is true to God:
'Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.'
Psalms 103:3-5
Can you agree with David that God does all these things? Which God do you know does all this? only our God. The one who knew you before you came into this world and knows where He is taking you to. Who can compare to Him?
His sovereign nature
How well David knew God! He couldn’t have written all these details about God without knowing Him first. David outlined every single attribute about God with precise understanding of who God is.
Merciful, gracious, and just were the qualities David used to describe the awesome nature of God. Do you have an understanding of who God is? You will understand God if you go the extra mile to seek Him.
Sovereign: possessing supreme or ultimate power
Why should he strive?
Just as much as I loved reading this psalm about the awesomeness of God, one verse struck me:
'He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.' Psalms 103:9
This verse spoke to me and opened my eyes to an understanding I would like to share with you.
When God tries to pull you to himself or to his kingdom, He goes all out for you. There is never a time he leaves you alone but once he sees you are not ready to heed his voice, he leaves you.
It’s the same way with an idea God gives you. He tells you to implement it at a certain time but you keep procrastinating, he is going to give it to someone else who will heed his voice immediately.
Truly, God loves you but he will not strive with you to do his will.
The Promises
One amazing thing about God that David noticed was God’s promises through generations:
'But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.' Psalms 103:17-18
God does keep his promises but only for those who keep his covenant and obey his commandments. Now this ball rests in your court.
Until you decide to make the effort to know God, you will only see a glimpse of who God is. The ability to show gratitude comes from the understanding that you have. I pray that God will give you the grace to genuinely seek him and understand his sovereignty over all the earth.
I would like to ask you to please read Psalm 103 again by yourself, open your mind to the word and let God speak to you.
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