Bless The Lord (Psalm 103)

Are we the kind of people that give a church a bad name, judgmental gossips, or are we filled with compassion and kindness towards those who love the Lord and fear him? Let’s look at Psalm 103.

A Psalm of David. (WEB)

Do we bless, congratulate, or kneel down to praise the Lord?

Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (Ps 103:1-5 LSB)

Whereas humanity frequently fails the oppressed, how does God judge these things?

The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. (Ps 103:6 NASB)

Are we judgmental gossips in our churches, or like God, compassionate and gracious, not rushing to accuse His very imperfect people?

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps 103:7-12 NIV)

Rather than judgmentalism, do we show pity on those who fear God, remembering that we are all just dust?

As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Ps 103:13-14 NKJV)

Do we appreciate how short our lives are here on earth? Does the love of the Lord remain forever with those who fear him?

Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! (Ps 103:15-18 NLT)

Do we praise God for His wonderful kingdom, for His word?

Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul! (Ps 103:19-22 WEB)

Is salvation a result of our good works, or are good works something we were created to walk in?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10 ESV)

Are we the kind of people that give a church a bad name, judgmental gossips, or are we filled with compassion and kindness towards those who love the Lord and fear him? You decide!