Psalm 103

Finally, I've finished memorizing Psalm 103. God has blessed me so much in this! I can't wait to memorize more chapters. I wanted to share some of the new things that God has been revealing to me as I've memorized and pondered these verses.

PSALM 103

Verse 1. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

All that is within me, bless His holy name. Heart, spirit, soul, and body. I am to bless the Lord not only with my lips, but with my heart. Not only with my heart, but with my lips. Not only with my heart and lips, but with my soul; my mind, will, and emotions. Not only my body, soul, and heart, but my spirit. All that is within me means that I am to bless the Lord with every part of my being.

2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Forget not all his benefits. I forget so often. I pray that God would enable me to live with a constant consciousness of His goodness and great worth, a growing understanding of how vast His blessings (benefits) are to me. I believe that God has blessed me more than I will ever fully realize in this life. I find so much joy as He daily reveals His blessings.

3. Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

My favorite word in these verses is all. The Lord is the Forgiver of all my iniquity. He is the Healer of all my diseases. Praise Him!

Also, notice the verb tense here. Forgives, heals, redeems, crowns--all present tense, showing that these acts are constant and unending.

4. Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

The Lord has redeemed my life from the pit. Merriam-Webster defines redeem as:

1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back
2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin
3: to change for the better : reform
4: repair, restore
5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment redeems savings bonds on demand> (2): to exchange for something of value <redeem trading stamps> c: to make good : fulfill
6 a: to atone for : expiate <redeem an error> b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrieve

Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary at http://www.m-w.org, emphasis mine

All these things Christ has done for me. He has bought me back, freed me from captivity by ransom through His blood, extricating me from the darkness of sin, released me from blame and debt, freed me from the guilt of my sin, removed my obligation to pay for my sin, and became the perfect atoning Sacrifice.

But God didn't stop there! He crowns me with steadfast love and mercy. When one bestows steadfast love and mercy to another, it raises the worth of that person.

So, because of the steadfast love and mercy of the Lord, I am crowned as a daughter of the King. No longer am I a slave to sin, but I am a servant of the Lord and exceedingly precious unto Him.

5. Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Have you ever met anyone who always wants what they can't have? Who wants their own way even when that's not truly the best way? "I'd rather fight you for what I don't really want than take what you give that I need." People that live in this mindset of pride and selfishness seem to grow old and spiritually ugly really fast, don't they? I think this is so sad.

I would so much rather trust the faithful love and unfailing wisdom of the Lord. I know He has my best interest in mind, even when I don't understand. When I trust Him, I am satisfied that His plans are good. When I am satisfied and rest content in His ever-capable, nail-scarred hands, my youth will be renewed. No cares and worries of this world can reach, trouble or torment me there. I know that I am safe in His hands.

Praise God for all that He is and all that He has done!