The ways of God are inscrutable. I am only a humble servant.”
–Zane Grey (The Light of the Western Stars)
“Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.”
“Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.”
–Revelation 4:11(HCSB)
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Psalm 103 is a great psalm of praise and of knowing who God is and His mercy. This last portion sounds a bit like Ecclesiastes to start, but soon turns to wonder and praise. Man is like a wisp-of-smoke or a flourishing flower that the wind blows and its beauty is soon gone. Let’s finish this wonderful psalm.
15 — As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 — For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 — But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children,
18 — To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 — The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
20 — Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.
21 — Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 — Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! (NKJV)
After those verses that remind us of the frailty of man and the brevity of life, the Psalm then begins to shout forth that ALL should praise the Lord. Man is soon gone from the scene but we are reminded that God’s mercy is forever and will never fade. This mercy, is an “unconditional, loyal love toward His elect.” (Lawson) “Loyal love” is literally what mercy means here. His love is forever and on those who keep faith with Him. Ah, see there is a condition. We must fear Him, we must recognize who He is–then, “whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)
We get a glimpse of heaven in these verses. The angels do His bidding and they are told to “Bless the Lord;” the ministers around the throne, are told to “Bless the Lord.” All God’s servants, those in heaven and those on earth are called to “Bless the Lord.” We are to worship the Lord and to do that which is required of us to “always keep our focus on Him, never upon man.” (Lawson)
We should ever be able to worship and give praise to the Lord. He is ever before us. Steven Lawson states, “The key to having a constant devotion to God is to be always growing in the knowledge of God.” We must be in the Word of God to know Him more intimately and develop a strong relationship. Then we can truly begin to worship. We must know God! If there is ever a problem in seeing the work and power of God, just look around you. His creation is a testimony to His majesty. Marvel at His works, then worship. Bask in His love and mercy, then worship. Do not waver, do not lose hope or trust, “Your life has a fixed center of stability because the Lord reigns.” (George Wood) Note the first verse of this psalm and the last, make that a part of your daily devotion: “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
“Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One.”
–William Henry Draper
————————————
Psalm 103 is a great psalm of praise and of knowing who God is and His mercy. This last portion sounds a bit like Ecclesiastes to start, but soon turns to wonder and praise. Man is like a wisp-of-smoke or a flourishing flower that the wind blows and its beauty is soon gone. Let’s finish this wonderful psalm.
15 — As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 — For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 — But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children,
18 — To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 — The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
20 — Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.
21 — Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 — Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! (NKJV)
After those verses that remind us of the frailty of man and the brevity of life, the Psalm then begins to shout forth that ALL should praise the Lord. Man is soon gone from the scene but we are reminded that God’s mercy is forever and will never fade. This mercy, is an “unconditional, loyal love toward His elect.” (Lawson) “Loyal love” is literally what mercy means here. His love is forever and on those who keep faith with Him. Ah, see there is a condition. We must fear Him, we must recognize who He is–then, “whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)
We get a glimpse of heaven in these verses. The angels do His bidding and they are told to “Bless the Lord;” the ministers around the throne, are told to “Bless the Lord.” All God’s servants, those in heaven and those on earth are called to “Bless the Lord.” We are to worship the Lord and to do that which is required of us to “always keep our focus on Him, never upon man.” (Lawson)
We should ever be able to worship and give praise to the Lord. He is ever before us. Steven Lawson states, “The key to having a constant devotion to God is to be always growing in the knowledge of God.” We must be in the Word of God to know Him more intimately and develop a strong relationship. Then we can truly begin to worship. We must know God! If there is ever a problem in seeing the work and power of God, just look around you. His creation is a testimony to His majesty. Marvel at His works, then worship. Bask in His love and mercy, then worship. Do not waver, do not lose hope or trust, “Your life has a fixed center of stability because the Lord reigns.” (George Wood) Note the first verse of this psalm and the last, make that a part of your daily devotion: “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
“Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One.”
–William Henry Draper