Psalm for 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Introit: Psalm 103: (NKJV)

Psalm 103 is one of those psalms that I start speaking (mostly from memory) and it’s like I sink into a large comfortable chair, and slowly exhale, saying, “Yes, this. This is what I need today.”

¹    Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:

³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,

⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.

⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.

⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

⁹ He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.

¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

¹² As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

David praises God for so much. He starts not with needs, desires, or demands (contrary to some church leaders today), but an immediate declaration of who God is, and his desires to to bless, praise, hold God’s name above all other names.