Today’s lesson is from Psalm 103: 1-14. We should begin this study by remembering all the things we are thankful, and for which we praise the Lord. Charles Spurgeon said of this Psalm: “As in the lofty Alps some peaks rise above all others, so even among the inspired psalms there are heights of song which overtop the rest. The one hundred and third Psalm has ever seemed to us to be the Monte Rosa of the divine chain of mountains of praise, glowing with a ruddier light than any of the rest. There is too much in this Psalm for a thousand pens to write; it is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a little Bible in itself.” Let us study this Psalm with hearts that seek to bless and praise our Lord.
The first section is “Personal Benefits.” vv. 1-5 many people think God exists to take care of their problems. He is seen as a heavenly butler there to wait on their every beckon call. However, the opposite is true. We were created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). David said, we are to bless the Lord with all that is within us. Only a heart made perfect in love can truly do this. A carnal heart is at war with God. If you have hatred, anger, greed or other carnal traits in your heart, how can you bless the Lord with all that is within you? The soul of man was made to praise and bless God. We need pure hearts to do so.
Have you recently stopped and “counted your blessings one by one?” The psalmist admonished himself to remember all the good things which God had blessed him with. One problem carnal Christians have is that they soon forget His works in their lives. In verses 3-5, David begins a list of the personal benefits he has received from God. Verses 3 and 4a speak of deliverance from evil. Verses 4b and 5 recount positive blessings. First, he is grateful that God has forgiven “all Thine inequities.” God has healed his diseases. God has redeemed your life from Satan. He has shown us loving kindness and tender mercies. He has satisfied us with good things. Spiritual renewal invigorates the entire being, giving fresh strength and vitality. “Thy youth is renewed like the eagles.” This does not mean that you will never experience the aches and pains that occasionally accompany getting older. It does mean that you will have sustained spiritual strength to accomplish much even in your old age.
The second section is “God’s Manifest Ways.” vv. 6-9 Considering what God is like should cause us to respond with praise and adoration. We serve a wonderful God! "The LORD executeth righteousness", i.e. works righteous acts. God always shows concern for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless. But someday, all wrongs will be righted and all the oppressed avenged. God does not want man to be ignorant regarding His character and His will. (read verse 7) Throughout history God has communicated with man, giving us His word. Today, we have the complete canon of Scripture found in 66 books of the Bible. Revelation has ended, however illumination has not. God still speaks to us through His word. He can provide us insight and understanding through the Holy Spirit to enable us to manuever through difficult times.
The word "merciful" in verse 8 can also be translated as "compassionate" which is being aware of the distress of others, and having a desire to alleviate the distress. Because of sin, we are deserving of God's wrath, but because He is slow to anger, giving time to repent, we can know His mercy and steadfast love. God will convict the sinner. First, He shows His severe judgment, then upon repentance, mercy is extended. Verse 9 makes clear that God will not nurse His anger for all time. His mercy ever rejoices over His judgment. "But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth." (Psalm 86:15) As we meditate on God's manifest ways to us, we will seek to praise and worship Him with all our being.
The third section is "A Merciful Father." vv. 10-14 This last portion of the psalm reveals how God deals with sinful man. First, we see the holding back of His wrath that mercy might be extended.Jesus Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, and has borne the punishment which we deserved. As high as the heavens are above us, so great is His mercy toward those that fear Him. This is not fear of dread, but rather an attitude of reverence and honor which an obedient child would show his parent. God has removed our sins "As far as east is from west." (verse 12) This is the farthest imaginable extent of the heavens. By providing Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, our sins may now be forgiven and blotted out. Our sins which once separated us from God have been removed.
A good parent "pitieth" (has compassion for) his children. In the same way, God has compassion for His children (verse 13) and He shows love, concern, and care daily. He daily provides for us. Verse 14 tells us that God knows our "frame" and that "we are dust." (frail and perishable). It still amazes me that God could care so much for us. He provides for our every need, and most importantly, has through His Son Jesus Christ, made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. Truly, we have every reason to bless the Lord!
The Golden Text is: "While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." (Psalm 146: 2) The idea here is that the psalmist will praise the LORD not just during his life on earth, but as long as he had an existence--in the future world--forever he would praise Him. Our God deserves eternal praise from us as long as we have the ability to do so. Regardless of what may come our way, we are to praise our LORD and God.
My summary points:
1. We are to seek purity of heart so we can praise Him with our entire being.
2. Our Lord is merciful and gracious and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
3. God's grace exceeds the mountain of our sins.
Next week: "They Cried Unto the Lord." (Psalm 107: 1-16)
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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