“Let all that I am praise the LORD;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name…
may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
–Psalm 103:1-2 NLT
So begins Psalm 103 (one of my favorites), written by David the Shepherd-King.
I imagine him–seated at a large table, a blank parchment spread before him, and a sharpened reed in his hand. Close by sits a small pot half-filled with a mixture of soot, gum, and water–his ink.
David’s gaze drifts to the view of Jerusalem outside the palace window. His thoughts carry him back in time to the hillsides of Bethlehem, just a few miles away. There he had tended his father’s sheep as a boy. But oh, the wonders God had performed during the years since. The humble shepherd boy became a giant killer, then a fugitive from jealous King Saul, a courageous warrior against Israel’s enemies, and finally after many years, the crowned king of Israel.
I can sense his heart filling with gratitude and praise, his eyes filling with tears as he considers all the “benefits” God has bestowed.
And David begins to write, extolling the Lord for his forgiveness, redemption, love, goodness, and more (vs. 3-6).
His pen needs more ink. As he dips the reed, David’s gaze is once again drawn to the window. He begins to contemplate God’s goodness expressed to his countrymen long ago:
“He revealed His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel” — v. 7, HCSB.
Through the laws outlining his ways, God had revealed his holy character. Through his miraculous deeds God revealed his power, faithfulness and…
…David’s mind shifts to the days when the Hebrews were brought out of slavery in Egypt and led back to the land of their father, Abraham. How compassionate God was.
David marvels at the provisions God engineered, so his people could escape: the gold, silver, and clothing Egyptians gave them as they prepared to flee (Exodus 12:35-36); the food and water necessary for survival (chapters 16 & 17).
David recollects God’s patience with the Israelites—grumbly and rebellious as they were (Numbers 14:18).
And David contemplates God’s love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)—caring and protective—in spite of the Israelites’ ingratitude and disobedience.
David picks up his reed once more and continues to write:
(“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and rich in faithful love — v. 8, HCSB.)
Those words beg the question: When have I experienced God’s benefits of compassion and grace, patience and faithful love?
A few examples follow:
- The Lord is compassionate.
Time and again God has tended our family through the loving kindness of friends—friends who have prayed with us in the midst of trauma and who have provided for our needs (like a place to stay, furniture, a contribution to our children’s college funds—the list is very long!). God has benefited us with numerous blessings—even a car one time.
- The Lord is gracious.
He cares about all our concerns, big and small.
This past winter I lost a scarf at the local bookstore. It wasn’t an expensive one, just soft and warm, the perfect size. A thorough check through the aisles and an inquiry at the information booth proved futile.
A couple of weeks later I returned to the same shop. Although I doubted the scarf would turn up (After all, my search two weeks prior had been very thorough.), I decided to ask again. Sure enough, the girl behind the counter produced my scarf.
- The Lord is slow to anger.
I’ve been incredibly blessed to know Jesus my entire life. But I still suffer from bouts of sin—sins like fretting, negativity, lack of faith, low self-esteem, pride, selfishness…must I go on?!
Yet he patiently forgives me and removes my offenses as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He even understands my frailties (v. 14). How gloriously comforting is that?
- The Lord is rich in faithful love.
Every day, with his provision, protection, and presence, guidance, goodness, and gifts, God expresses his unwavering love for us.
And with David, my heart overflows.
You, too?
(“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name” — v. 1, NIV).
How has God demonstrated his compassion, grace, patience and love in your life? Please share your story in the comment section below!
(Art & photo credits: www.pinterest (2), http://www.lds.org; http://www.pinterest.com; www.poshmark.com; http://www.pinterest (2).
From the Inside Out 
Thanks again for sharing your gift of encouragement with us. What a beautiful way of looking at Psalm 103.
My journals are filled to the brim with His blessings (I am sure just like yours). Each one is so unique and special, so sweet and intimately kind, straight from the Father’s hand to my heart. One of the most recent blessings was a monarch butterfly, which flew toward me, right by my head.
I had been walking and told the Lord how sorry I was for being so busy all the time, for being too tired and exhausted to really be of any good. I felt woeful and filled with pity for myself. When a milkweed caught my attention, I said out-loud, “Lord, I haven’t even been looking for monarchs. I feel so exhausted!” It was only a few minutes later when a monarch flew right at me. It was the first one I had seen all summer! The Lord gently reminded me how my own efforts are vain, and that I needed Him to do it all for me. He reminded me how my strength is in Him and how He will freely give me what I need, when I give myself to Him. I felt so loved.
Thanks for letting me share, Nancy!
I, too, am so thankful for God’s prompting to start a blessings journal, back in 1983. Hundreds of entries ensure that I will remember numerous benefits of my Heavenly Father. Had I not keep a record, at least some of the examples I shared in this post would surely have been forgotten. Thank you, Heidi, for sharing your story about the monarch. God knows your heart, desirous of intimacy with him and obedience for him. He knows you love him deeply. I see that butterfly encounter as an affirmation of his deep love for YOU!
love that psalm. It and your words really resonated with me tonight. I hear its words calling me to pray it more regularly. thanks Nancy
Thank you, Jean. You’re right: Psalm 103 provides the perfect frame for our own praise!
Just this week I was at a strip mall and had stopped at the candy store to buy some caramels. There was another customer, a guy, still in the store when I left to go into the bookstore a few doors down. I was at the bookstore very briefly, deciding not to buy anything. While walking past the candy store to my car a motorcycle pulled up beside me. The guy asked me if I had just left the candy store. I said yes; then he said…;you left your cell phone in there!’. I was so very grateful. Perfect timing engineered by the Lord! The Lord was indeed gracious to me…looking out for me!!!
Wow! What perfectly-engineered events God performed to return your phone to you. He is SO good, looking out for us continually. I’ve experienced numerous such incidents. Praise him for his loving care! And thank you, Cheri, for sharing this encouraging story.