You Are Not the Only One

Psalm Chapter 103 Part 1

Context

Psalm 103 opens with an invitation for everyone to become involved in the actual act of praise to YHWH. This psalm is probably one of the most famous “hymnic” psalms in the Book of Psalm. This psalm should be considered a psalm/prayer of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is part of the process when one worships YHWH. Hebrews 12:28-29 tells Christian how they should worship YHWH. “²⁸ Therefore, let us all be thankful that we are a part of an unshakable Kingdom and offer to God worship that pleases Him and reflects the awe and reverence we have toward Him, ²⁹ for He is like a fierce fire that consumes everything.” The Voice Version.

All scriptures cited in this devotional are taken from the King James Version of the Bible @BibleGateway.com

The psalmist makes a declaration in verse 1 that he wants his soul [his innermost being, his heart, his mind] to Bless YHWH. By openly expressing his desire, the psalmist also encourages the nation to bless YHWH with all that they are too. That is also the role of all “Jesus followers!” We lead by example. In addition to that, the psalmist also cites all of the benefits that he receives from blessing/worshipping YHWH with his soul.

The Benefits

1. Verse 3: Forgiveness from our sin/iniquities: are forgiven; Sin creates a huge divide between God and us. It is like a valley between god and us, but the valley is lined with a torrential river filled with deadly things. The psalmist may be asking for the forgiveness of the sins that he wrote about in Psalm 51 A. Isaiah 1:18 tells us that God is waiting for us to have that chat about forgiveness with HIm. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” B. Romans 3:23 REMINDS US THAT, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Jesus paid that price for us with His death. C. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
2. Verse 3: Our Healer: Sicknesses that can bring us to the point of death and may well be connected with our sins [see Psalm 38:1-8] are healed by YHWH. The psalmist refers to his specific sins and the healing that came about because of his repentance and forgiveness. Deut. 32:39 speaks of this, not as a promise, neither is it a guarantee – in the flesh. It is within God’s purview to determine when he will heal. Therefore, it is a testimony that one should understand and be joyful about.
3. Verse 4-5: Redeems us from destruction/death. This could be imminent death or eternal death. The latter is preferred by Christian readers, and one is immediately brought back to Romans 3:23. Furthermore, in this life, after one receives Christ, just like David, they experience YHWH’s “lovingkindness and tender mercies^{.” _{But HE is not finished. Then He “}}satisfieth thy mouth with good things.” He does it “so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Today, we would say He puts strengthens us “pep in our step!” See Exodus 19:4; Jer. 48:40. Not only are we powerful and vigorous in the Lord, like an eagle, but we are also joyful, young, and equipped to handle the rigor of “the mission” that He has given us. David had that same mission. To lead and teach his people about how to follow YHWH. That is how David felt too. YHWH does all of those things for His children because it is within His character to do so.

This is your character, oh God.

^{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 forever}. 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.

Now the psalmist makes it clear to all readers that those lovely benefits were not just for him and the people of the land. But they are also “for all that are oppressed.” He will make His justice known to every oppressor and the oppressed. How do we know that? The psalmist details what YHWH did in the past with oppressors.

1. Verse 7: He freed his children from Egyptian tyranny – through His servant Moses. He sent plagues on their oppressors and opened the Red Sea to seal their escape. Then he protected them day and night. See Exodus 33:13; Exodus 34:4-7.
2. Verse 8-10: Even though the people were infuriating, YHWH was gracious to them. See Exodus 32 – the Golden Calf incident He did not erase them – even though they got on His nerves. “Slow to anger,“: meaning that He is patient and not easily excited, like people. He put up with a lot from the people/merciful and bearing it long> He did not remain angry with them for long; “keep his anger forever.” See also James 5:11, then compare it with Exodus 34:6-7. He is just as patient with us when we sin. He is tolerant, but someday He will say, enough is enough. He will not put up with sin forever. That will be the day when Christ returns or our death, and we will have to account for our behavior. Even so, see verses 11-12.
3. Verses11-12: 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. His mercy is “to the universe and back” so to speak. Even though our sins are like scarlet, He will wash them in the blood of Jesus Christ and will put them as far away from Him and us as he can. That is how final His forgiveness towards His people was extended in the psalms and today too.