Benefits packages are essential these days as we look to new years. We might change insurance companies, add to FSAs or even switch jobs in order to get better benefits. We are constantly striving for the next best level of security. Psalm 103 reminds us that we already have all the benefits we need in the steadfast love of God.
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Of David.
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;[a]
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!
This is one of my favorite Psalms. When things get hard, this Psalm screams, “Remember His Love!”
The ESV Study Bible puts it like this: “The crowning benefit is God’s enduring love to the descendants of the faithful, which leads the worshipers to exhort all the angelic hosts and all the material creation to join in blessing the Lord.”
This is, after all, the ultimate benefits package. Just look at the benefits this Psalm promises from God. God forgives. He heals. He redeems us. He loves us. He shows mercy and compassion on us! He renews us! He is slow to anger! His does not hold his anger forever! He is just!
“Word fail to convey the magnitude of God’s love. So the massive love of God, the loyal love of God, displayed to unworthy. Israel is compared to the grandeur of the heavens. Whenever you look into the clear blue skies or behold a distant star, remind yourself that God’s mercy is greater still.” -Tony Merida
God’s love “is from everlasting to everlasting.” The birth of Christ is the action of that love. The God of all the universe loves us so much that He humbly took on flesh to walk with us and save us! He acted on His love by lowering Himself to a fallen world to ultimately die for us so that we may live! What greater benefits package is there than that?
Family Discussion
Write out all the benefits Psalm 103 says we have as believers in Christ.
What is your favorite benefit from the list?
