Oct-17-0536-Bless the Lord, O my soul
536_Bless the Lord, O my soul Psalm 103 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 forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul! A certain woman was going through a very difficult season of her life. She had lost her job, her health had weakened, and her family relationships were strained. One morning, as usual, she sat down with the scriptures. Instead of reading, however, she began to write down every blessing she could remember - help received, forgiveness of sins, answers to prayer, strengthening during times of weakness. As she named her blessings, one by one, her face became joyful. Her despair had transformed into gratitude. She realized how much reason she had to bless the Lord, right in the midst of her troubles. That story captures the heart of Psalm 103. This is not just a song of David but an intentional act of praise. David reminds himself how much the Lord is worthy of praise and trust. He does this deliberately and painstakingly, not in an emotional outburst. Mind, body, emotions, are all called to