Psalm 103:1-22
Q.1. What is it about God’s treatment of sinners that should call for the highest praise? – (Ps.103:1-14)
The Psalmist was full of praise for the far-reaching benefits that God extends to His people. The greatest is that He has not dealt with us according to what our sins deserve, but instead pardons all our iniquities, and redeems us from the pit of everlasting destruction (Ps.103:3-4). This all reflects the heart of God, Who – is compassionate and gracious, slow to get angry and abounding in lovingkindness … and has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities (Ps.103:8 & 10). God inspired the Psalmist to reveal – As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps.103:12). The distance from the north to the south can be measured, whereas from east to the west cannot. As His children, we are known by God, Who is mindful of our frailty and fickleness (Ps.103:14).
Q.2. What response does the Lord seek, because of all His benefits to us? – (Ps.103:14-18)
The Psalmist went on to call for two responses: (i) We should understand the large distinction between the fleeting nature of our lives, and the everlasting lovingkindness that God extends to all who fear Him (Ps.103:15-17); (ii) In our hearts we should cultivate a heart of grateful obedience to this One Who has bound us into a covenant relationship – with those who keep His Covenant and remember His precepts to do them (Ps.103:18). We neither deserve, nor have ever had the power to bring ourselves into such a beneficial relationship. All praise belongs to our God.
Q.3. How did David view God’s place in the universe? How can this change everything in the midst of our trials? – (Ps.103:19-22)
David recognized that God’s reign could in no way be challenged – The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all (Ps.103:19). He described the angelic hosts of heavens armies, who are at His disposal to do His bidding – in all places of His dominion (Ps.103:22). Our lives ebb and rise like the motion of the sea. However, God’s sovereign rule never changes or diminishes. Keeping our eyes on Him will protect us from adding despair to the trials of life. We can say with the apostle Paul – 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2 Cor.4:8-11). God is still on the throne.