Scripture for the Day
(December 16, 2020)
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: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm
103:1-5)
David, who wrote Psalm 103, had bouts with adultery, murder, and even had to hide in caves as he was being hunted down by King Saul to be killed. I am sure there must have been times when he didn’t feel like worshiping God. But still, we see him faithfully proclaiming the greatness of God in the midst of turmoil. David even speaks to his own soul in times of trouble, demanding it to “Bless the
Lord!” Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5)
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. (Psalm 146:1-2)
David reminds himself even in the worst possible times how good God is, remembering God’s blessings and benefits to him. Though our feelings or affections change, God’s character is never changing. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Psalm 103 in the Amplified Bible reads like this: Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits. Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and
corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!”In your mind, think back through your life and bless the Lord for all that He has done for you and then bless Him for all that He is going to do for you in the future. Bless Him for His forgiveness; for His healing power that is
available for you today; for His redemption; for His loving-kindness; for His satisfying provision; and for His renewing of your strength.
Never forget His benefits!!!! I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)
