Forgetting the Good Things God Has Done For You (Psalm 103)

Bless the Lord by Matt Redman is the most popular worship song of 2013. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits" (Ps 103:2, HCSB). "... may I never forget the good things he does for me" (NLT).

The book of Psalms is one of the truly majestic pieces of biblical literature. It is a collection of 150 songs inspired by the Spirit of God. Some of these celebrate the history of the nation of Israel. Others pronounce severe judgments on those who set themselves as enemies of God. There are psalms that are messianic in thrust: they point to the coming Messiah. Some psalms, though, simply lift up a chorus of praise to the Creator. Psalms 103 may be the “Mt. Everest” of praise psalms. It exalts the soul to breath-taking heights.

[The God of Benefits; God's Benefits Package; Count Your Blessings]

In today’s world, many are keenly conscious of those “benefits” associated with their employment. What sort of insurance do I have? What is my retirement package, etc.? How frequently do we contemplate, though, the “benefits” of our loving Father?

In Psalms 103:3-5, five marvelous “benefits” are listed. How invigorating to the soul it is to savor these blessings. They are expressed with the following verbs: forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies.

1. Forgiveness.
2. Healing.
3. Redemption.
4. Crowning.
5. Satisfaction.

As Christ followers and as people saved by grace, we have a major problem that affects us all: we are forgetful! We can remember all kinds of things, especially what others have done to us or said about us (or imagined said about us!), but we easily forget what God has done in our lives. We have a long memory when it comes to out hurts, sorrows, burdens and disappointments, but a very short memory when it comes to recalling just how good God has been to us! Apparently David, the man after God's own heart, also had this problem.

What did David do?  What can we do?

1. Speak to your own soul with an eruption of praise (1-2): Bless the Lord. To bless the “holy name” of God is to praise the Lord for his intrinsic holiness (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). He is an utterly pure being in whom resides no sin (Hab 1:13; Jas 1:13). The writer strains his entire being — everything “that is within” him — to express his feelings. He loves the Creator intellectually, emotionally, and practically. There is some parallel in sentiment with the admonition to love God with the totality of one’s being — heart, soul, mind, and strength (Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37; Mk 12:29-30). How much of your fear, anger, anxiety and discouragement is entirely due to you forgetting God's benefits, forgetting all that God has given you and blessed you? Perhaps your mind knows, but does your heart forget that you're forgiven, that you're guaranteed a crown and a feast? How does this happen in your own heart and soul until it transforms you and your strength is renewed and you can soar like an eagle (Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31)? It happens through inward dialogue, speaking directly and forcefully to your own heart ("my soul") rather than just listening to it. Biblical meditation is not a relaxation technique for emptying the mind but rather one that fills it with truth, using thought and memory to set your heart on fire. Here David dwells on the truth that God forgives sin and eventually will remove all suffering and diseases. When we ask we receive instant forgiveness (Ps 32:5; 1 Sam 12:13; 1 Jn 1:8-9), but our suffering may not yet be removed now (2 Cor 12:8-9; 2 Sam 12:13-23). It is because while sin always blocks our relationship with God, suffering can deepen it (Heb 12:11).
2. Be slow to anger in order to abound in love (6-12). God's anger is different from ours. We are quick to anger. One way or another we make people--who have wronged or disappointed us--pay. We make sure they know that we are upset with them. Even after that we are still upset, nursing our grievances. But God is quite different. He is slow to anger (Ps 103:8). He provides for our forgiveness. Then he remembers our sins no more. David is quoting Exodus 34:6, which goes on to say that God "does not leave the guilty unpunished" (Ex 34:7). How can Moses say in Exodus that God will not let sin go unpunished and David say that God will not punish us as our sins deserve (Ps 103:10) and both be right? Only the cross would reveal what it cost God to punish sin without punishing us. Infinite distances (Ps 103:11-12) are used to convey such infinite love.
3. Remember God's everlasting love (13-18). An adult can see right into the heart of a child who lacks wisdom and who does not have the skills to hide selfishness and impatience. Parents know their children's besetting sins (Ps 103:14). Yet a good father loves his children anyway (Ps 103:13). So God knows us to the very bottom yet loves us to the skies--literally (Ps 103:11). God does not just pardon our sins. He adopts us into his family, giving us his love, access in prayer, a share in the inheritance of glory, and even his family resemblance--the Holy Spirit, which reproduces God's own character in us (Jn 1:12-13; Gal 4:7; 1 Jn 3:1-3).
4. Sing with all of nature (19-22). The psalmist calls on his own soul to praise God (Ps 103:1-2). Then he learns to rejoice inwardly in the unfathomable benefits of salvation. Now, at the end of the psalm, he realizes a oneness with creation that he never imagined possible, for he sees what all nature is doing--rejoicing in God! All "his works" on earth (Ps 103:22) and in heaven (Ps 103:20-21) are already singing to God and to one another, and he has taken up his unique part in the greatest chorus and symphony of all. Experiencing God's everlasting love (Ps 103:17) as a living reality enables you to hear and join in the music. Jonathan Edwards describes a common spirtual experience that when we are singing God's praises the most, we sense that the mountains and ocean and trees are "singing" as well (Ps 19:1-5; Is 55:12). When we are not right with God, we feel alone in the world. But when we praise God the most, we can hear your joy in the birds in the morning and the rain on the water and even the soggy snow on the ground. Be a part of the music of the universe and sing your part, which adds to and derives beauty from the whole.

Read Psalm 103 slowly and thoughtfully in two translations. As you read and reread, mark any words or phrases that are meaningful to you and put a question mark by anything that you don't understand.Give Psalm 103 a title or write a short summary sentence that captures what you think is the essence of this Psalm.

Questions

1. Praise characterizes this psalm. No requests are made to the Lord. Do your prayers usually include more requests than praise? What adjustments, if any, should you make to your prayers?
2. What practical advantages in old age does a believer have that an un-believer lacks? What do you most admire about elderly believers?  © Warren W. Wiersbe.

• Psalm 103:10 says that God does not give us what we deserve. On paper or just in your memory, think of some low points in your life where you have rebelled and committed a sin. Don't stay there very long. Next, take that list and read out loud Psalm 103:9-12 and let the word pictures of these verses be done to your mistakes.

1. (103:1-5) This Psalm begins and ends with the phrase, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." Why would David tell himself to praise God? Do we need to do this too? Who benefits from the act of praising God? How? What is your favorite way to praise God? Why? What do you think it means to praise God with your whole heart or all your inmost being? Is it possible to praise God half-heartedly and unenthusiastically? Explain your answer. ♥ When was a time that you were so overwhelmed with gratitude, thanksgiving and joy that you wanted to summon all that was deepest within you to praise God? 
• For some believers, that language seems antiquated or unfamiliar. How does that phrase affect you?  Kind of confused – How does a sinner bless God?  You bet – I bless the Lord right out loud!  I don't feel that way today – It would be hypocritical for me to say that at this moment.  It's personal – In my prayer time, I bless God.  Other ________________________________________ 
2. What is another instruction David gives himself (2b)? Why do you think it is necessary for David to remind himself of this? 
• List the five actions of God that make up God's Benefit Package for us (3-5). Underline the key verb in each statement. Which of the Lord's benefits that are listed impress you the most? Why is that one near and dear to you?
• Consider the five actions of God: God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies. Do "actions speak louder than words"? What conclusions can you come to about God's person and character based on his actions?  Do your conclusions about God match your experience of God? Why or why not?
• What "pit" (4) has God redeemed you from? What is an appropriate response for what He has done? ♥ What images come to mind when you think of the word "crowned"(4)? What does the word "crowned" reveal about God's view of you?
• In the Bible, eagles are often "word pictures" symbolizing renewed strength given by God just when we need it. This is because eagles allow themselves to be carried on the wind currents for miles with little or no effort on their part (Isa 40:30-31). In 103:5, why would God satisfying our desires with good things cause our youth to be renewed like the eagles? What do you think is the connection between these two things?
3. (103:6-18) Verses 7 & 8 refer to Moses' encounter with God in person (Exo 33:18-34:1-8). Why do you think Moses pleaded with God to allow him to see him? What did Moses witness on the mountain that is echoed in this psalm?
4. Buried in the middle of this Psalm are two references to the Fatherhood of God (13&17). Some of us have not known healthy role models of Fatherhood. What are some ways that you could cast off those old memories of broken parenting and put on new beliefs of God as the compassionate and loving father? What ways can you show God's character that you saw in Psalm 103 to your children or grandchildren?
5. What is the measurement of God's steadfast love towards those who revere him (17-18)? How do you experience God's love in your day-to-day life? Who, more than any other person, have you received God's love through the most? In the 21st century, how are others to know and experience God's limitless love?
6. How do you think God's love differs from what our culture would define as love?
7. (103:19-22) Who is being commanded to "Bless the Lord" in these verses? What do you think it means to obey "the voice of his word" (20)? If your group was told to declare God's greatness tonight before you dismiss, what would that look like?
8. After discussing all of this we find ourselves back at the encouragement to "Bless the Lord, O my soul." Has your understanding or appreciation of that phrase changed? If so, how has it changed?

Forgetting the Good Things God Has Done for You (Psalm 103)

·         Read and give Psalm 103 a title or write a short summary sentence that captures what you think is the essence of this Psalm.

·         What directive or instruction is repeated (1, 2, 20-22)? For some believers, that language seems antiquated or unfamiliar. How does that phrase affect you?

o    * Kind of confused – How does a sinner bless God?

o    * You bet – I bless the Lord right out loud!

o    * I don't feel that way today – It would be hypocritical for me to say that at this moment.

o    * It's personal – In my prayer time, I bless God.

o    * Other ________________________________________ 

·         Why would David tell himself to praise God (1-2a)? Do we need to do this? Who benefits from praising God? How? What is your favorite way to praise God? Why? What do you think it means to praise God with your whole heart or all your inmost being?

o    Is it possible to praise God half-heartedly and unenthusiastically? Explain.

o    ♥ When was a time that you were so overwhelmed with gratitude, thanksgiving and joy that you wanted to summon all that was deepest within you to praise God?

·         What is another instruction David gives himself (2b)? Why do you think it is necessary for David to remind himself of this?

·         List 5 actions of God that make up God's Benefit Package for us (3-5). Underline the key verb in each statement.

o    Consider the five actions of God: God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies. Do "actions speak louder than words"? What can you learn about God's person and character based on his actions.

o    Do your conclusions about God match your experience of God? Why or why not?

·         What "pit" (4a) has God redeemed you from? What is an appropriate response for what He has done? ♥ What images come to mind when you think of the word "crowned" (4b)? What does this reveal about God's view of you?

·         In the Bible, eagles are often "word pictures" symbolizing renewed strength given by God just when we need it. This is because eagles allow themselves to be carried on the wind currents for miles with little or no effort on their part (Isa 40:30-31). Why would God satisfying our desires with good things cause our youth to be renewed like the eagles (5)? What do you think is the connection between these two things?

·         In 103:8-10, David shifts his focus to who God is rather than what he does for us. Read these verses in at least two translations of Scripture and put into your own words the 8 characteristics of God mentioned by David.

o    Does David's description of God match your own concept of God? If not, how might you to see and experience God this way? ♥ How do we deserve to be treated by God? Why doesn't God treat us like that? What implications does God's treatment of us have for our treatment of others? Whom do you treat as he or she deserves?

·         What are the two powerful word pictures to help us understand the depth of God's love and forgiveness (11-12)?

·         Does your experience with your earthly father help or hinder this word picture (13)?

·         What two facts does God keep in mind about us (14-16)?

·         Who is in charge of the universe (19)?