Psalm 103

1 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 forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Key Verse:
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Key Observation:
McGee: “It looks forward to a new day; in fact, it looks beyond the Millennium into eternity where it will find the fullness of fulfillment.”

Memory Verse:
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Devotion:
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
These are some of my favorite words in a favorite psalm. In my inner spirit I am commanded to bless his holy name. I have read that it could be translated as the deepest part of me: bless his holy name.

I am in the generation that is scheduled to be raptured up soon, if the Lord is gracious to me, and it is my conviction that I will be given a new body. Many questions remain particularly to our generation, for the imminent coming is almost upon us, and I know that I wonder about the things that God might have planned for me in the future. Paul and John both hint at our reigning with the Lord, but the hints do little to me except tantalize. I have all eternity that God has given; what will I do with it?

But then I look at great passages like this psalm, that bespeaks of an awesome God and I know that I would be content to fall on my face before my God and spend eternity worshipping him. I think that is because this psalm tells us so much of what God is going to do for us:
1) Forgive our iniquities
2) Heal our diseases
3) Redeem our life from destruction
4) Crowns us with lovingkindness
5) Satisfies our mouth with good things
6) Removed our transgressions from us
7) He pities us

My favorite? I think it is in this verse: “12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” McGee notices that the Lord did not say as far as the north is from the south, reasoning that if we go far enough north (on the earth) we will be going south again. Instead the Lord says he will remove our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west. I know my transgressions and I am ashamed. I have no excuse for any sin, but much of my sin I did in spite of the knowledge of the love of my God. I can look forward to him removing that from me. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)

Again there are people who say that God has forgotten Israel or replaced them with his church. Absolutely a falsehood. People should have more confidence in his faithfulness: Jeremiah 31:37
37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
God cannot be much plainer than that. Trust in Him and he shall bring it to pass. Or trust not—and He will anyway. He is God. Our job is to figure out his promises, and this is one that you can trust, now that you know it.

Only Trust Him
1. Come, ev'ry soul by sin oppressed
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.

2. For Jesus shed His precious blood,
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.

3. Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay
And you are fully blest.

Chorus:
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.
Lyrics: John Hart Stockton