God's Benefits Listed in Psalm 103
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me; bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2)
Psalm 103 is unique in several ways. The psalm is not addressed to God. The psalm is not addressed to the psalmist's readers. It is clear that Psalm 103 is addressed to the psalmist's soul.
In the above two verses, David is talking to his inward part. The psalmist calls on his soul to do what his mouth falls short of doing. That's because his physical lips are incapable of praising God from deep within. Therefore, he calls on his soul twice in the first two verses. The second time, he adds the imperative not to forget God's benefits. Then he itemizes those benefits in the remainder of the psalm of 22 verses.
Forgiveness is at the top of David's list just as forgiveness was the first thing Jesus asked for on the cross during His seven last words. The psalmist's list includes God's benefits of healing, redemption, lovingkindness, tender mercies, righteousness, and assurance to those who keep God's covenant and those who remember and obey His commandments.
Halfway through the psalm, David changes his list to include what God will not do, such as chiding and being angry forever.
Read Psalm 103 and meditate on all David has to say in it. Also, click on the link below to read more commentary about what's in this encouraging psalm. Then you will begin to call on your soul like David and say, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me; bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2)
Rev. Margaret Minnicks
