|
A God Worthy to be Praised
Merciful and Gracious And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.—Exodus 34:6 {FOOTNOTE: A ll quotations are from the American Standard Version unless otherwise noted.} A verse-by-verse study of Psalm 103 by David Stein The psalms were written to be sung. Psalm 103 likely was sung as well. It was a psalm of David, evidently written later in his life. By this point David had come to appreciate the loving kindness of God through the various trials and failures in his life. Blessing Jehovah—Psalm 103:1,2 Bless Jehovah, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: This recognition of the divine name shows the intimacy with which the psalm intends to lead. How do we bless Jehovah? By a profession that Jehovah our God is worthy of worship, adoration, and love. He wishes this from us, not because of any need on his part, but from a recognition that we achieve the highest joy and content in life through an acknowledgment of and a relationship with our loving Creator. Here is a practical definition of what it is to glorify God: If our activities and words stimulate others to have more devotion toward God, then we are glorifying God! There is a sense of consecration here as David devotes “all that is within” him to bless God. Consecration is a giving of our all in the service of our loving Creator. In a sense, Israel was enjoined to do this: “Thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
David had this kind of service to the Creator in mind and it motivated him to
make known the name and character of his wonderful God to others. He repeats his
opening chorus in the poetic style of his other psalms. Then he urges
remembrance of the benefits that Jehovah gives his people. Such periodic
reflection on God’s blessings is most helpful in keeping before us the reality
of his presence in our lives. Thankfulness for the many blessings he gives us
each day is one of the least demanding sacrifices we can give to God. God’s Benefits—Psalm 103:3-5 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy desire with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle.
Benefit #1—Forgiveness of all Iniquity. Jesus taught that the forgiveness from God to us must be reciprocated by forgiveness from us to those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:14, 15).
Benefit #2—Healing of all Diseases. However, the church has no such promises for the healing of the flesh. Our hope is spiritual as are the many promises given for our spiritual health. We need only look to the experiences of the apostles to see that physical healing was not among the blessings God promised the church. This makes sense when we remember that each of the saints has made a consecration unto death. They are destined to die as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) as did their Lord. The experience of “dying daily” permits us to grow in understanding and compassion with the experiences of the dying human race. However, we do experience divine healing of heart and mind. Our heart sicknesses are healed by a touch of the Master’s hand. Our minds and hearts are renewed to spiritual health. We become glowing witnesses of Jehovah’s grand glory and carry the healing message of the gospel to all who will hear. Furthermore, the church members have the privilege of helping one another with their spiritual struggles. With the qualities of empathy and sympathy that are developed within us, we can faithfully minister to the spiritual needs of each one with the confidence that “all diseases” of the spirit can be healed.
Benefit #3—Redeemed!
Benefit #4—Crowned with Loving-Kindness and Tender
Mercy.
Benefit #5—Satisfies our Desire. This special promise invites us to “delight” in the Lord Jehovah who will then bring his benefit of fulfilling those righteous desires.
Benefit #6—Youth is Renewed.
As in the days of our youth, we become vivacious and full of energy when we
handle the truth found in the word of God. We get excited when we read of
Jehovah’s mercy that will be demonstrated to all mankind in the kingdom. Our
enthusiasm moves us to share these precious promises and plans with others.
Though we may be in the pain and debilitation of illness, or exhausted by our
responsibilities, we are made alive and energized by the truth. God’s Righteousness—Psalm 103:6-8 Jehovah executeth righteous acts, and judgments for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his doings unto the children of Israel. Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. Jehovah loves mankind. This is testified by the apostle John: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). In his due time, our almighty God of mercy will come to the aid and defense of the oppressed masses. He will do this through his appointed and anointed king, Jesus (Psalm 2:2-6). Jesus will rule in righteousness and judge in favor of the meek. All those who hope to be part of that holy rulership must reflect now that same regard for both righteousness and mercy. Jehovah reveals his mercy by making himself known to his worshipers. The revelation of himself to Israel was done through the Law Covenant mediated by Moses. Sometimes we speak of the hard justice of the Law such as the “life for a life” rule. But the Law was filled with regulations that showed God’s loving concern for his people. Here is an example of this rule: “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thy house, if any man fall from thence” (Deuteronomy 22:8). This sounds like a modern building code. In this rule we can see the mercy and love behind a requirement to insure that people do not fall from a roof and get hurt. This revealed the character of the Lord Jehovah to ancient Israel. He still reveals himself to his people today and with more detail. When God declares something, he also demonstrates it, but only those with a right heart can see and appreciate it. Those with prideful, selfish hearts blind themselves to the evidences of Jehovah’s perfect character. What are the evidences of the Lord’s mercy, grace, slowness to anger, and abundant loving-kindness? Here are a few: 1. He did not exact the death penalty on Adam and Eve immediately. 2. He preserved Noah and his family from the judgment upon a depraved world. 3. He befriended and blessed Abraham. 4. He gave Abraham and Sarah a miraculous child. 5. He prospered righteous Joseph in all that he did, eventually saving the whole family of Jacob. 6. He delivered Israel from Egypt. 7. He gave his Law Covenant to Israel. 8. He gave Israel the Promised Land. 9. He gave Israel prophets and judges to teach and guide. 10. He always blesses the obedient. 11. He gave his son to redeem the world. 12. He invited the disciples of Jesus to a heavenly salvation. In the kingdom, man’s spiritual blindness will be removed and everyone will be aware of his love and mercy (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14). God is Patient—Psalm 103:9-11 He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us after our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. God’s mercy is further shown in his patience with us. He could chastise us for each of our many daily failures, but he does not. On the other hand, his patience is not infinite, for it could never be with perfect love. A time comes for the scales of justice to balance and wickedness to be dealt with. There comes a time for Jehovah’s anger to be released, but even then, it is done with restraint. Because of our imperfection, we are worthy of death. But having provided a legal basis for the covering of our sins, our loving heavenly Father deals with us after the intentions of our heart. As Paul expressed it: “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Corinthians 8:12, KJV). What a merciful arrangement! Jehovah loves us for what we seek to do and what we seek to be. This perfect desire, or this desire for perfection, God blesses and prospers. He wants us to know how great and deep is his love for those who love and fear [reverence] him. How high above the earth are the heavens? However we define the terms, it is a great measure. So too is his loving-kindness. Practically speaking, it is immeasurable.
How far is the east from the west? It is likewise immeasurable. Our loving God
has made the merciful arrangement for the complete forgiveness and removal of
sin. God’s Compassion—Psalm 103:13-18 Like as a father pitieth his children, so Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his precepts to do them. Those who have children know the love, mercy, compassion, patience, and pity parents have for them. God wants us to know that he has the same emotions and feelings toward all of his human creation. The sympathy Jehovah has toward us is based on his infinite knowledge of our frailties. He understands exactly the physical and mental makeup of each one of us. He mercifully deals with us accordingly. Human life is fragile and short. Nearly all who live to an advanced age will declare how quickly the years have gone. God’s lovingkindness—another demonstration of his mercy—is reserved for those who reverence him. These are in covenant relationship with him and keep the requirements of that covenant, a personal covenant of consecration. And each consecrated, footstep follower of Jesus can recount the loving kindness seen in Jehovah’s many overruling providences in their lives.
These precepts will apply as well for the world in
the kingdom under the New Covenant. It will be necessary for every human being,
as he or she is raised to life, to nurture a deep reverence for Jehovah God. The
response to this for each one will be the pouring out of his holy spirit (Joel
2:28) which will eventually result in human perfection. God’s Omnipotence—Psalm 103:19-22 Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, that are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, in all places of his dominion: bless Jehovah, O my soul. Jehovah God is the ultimate king and ruler of his creation as his appointed king Jesus acknowledged in Psalm 2. But Psalm 103 guarantees that his mercy will continue to flow eternally. The psalm closes with a chorus: Jehovah should be blessed by the mighty angels that are closest to him. They should obey him and contribute to the fulfilling of his word. God should be blessed by his ministers, the saints of the Gospel age. The reference to God’s pleasure is a wonderful concept. Here is one of the Bible’s most exciting promises: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, KJV). The saints in glory will share the kingdom authority with Jesus and will bring blessings to the world of mankind. This will redound to the praise of Jehovah because the whole arrangement reflects his mercy! Finally, the closing chorus calls upon all his works to manifest his creative glory with a silent blessing for God. The psalm ends as it began: |