"BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!"

PSALM 103

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WHAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD DO! [v. 1-2]

The truth is that every person should be a believer! The first part of Psalm 19 says that Creation is enough evidence that there is a God, and the second part says that Revelation tells us Who God is and how He will save the person who comes to trust in Him. The second half of Romans 1 tells us that those who reject the witness of Creation are fools without excuse and the first half of Romans 1 declares that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth!

EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD:

1. BLESS THE LORD WITH EVERY FIBER OF HIS BEING! [v. 1a]

The word "bless" is the Hebrew word "barak" (baw-rak'; a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God -as an act of adoration).

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord °, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

2. BLESS GOD'S HOLY NAME [v. 1b]

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

3. FORGET NOT ALL GOD'S BENEFITS! [v. 2]

Note that this is told us in the negative sense, He didn't say "remember", He said "Forget not!".
The word "forget" is "shakach" and is a primitive root meaning: to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention:-- (cause to) forget. It carries with it the idea of intentional neglect, sort of like Peter saying that some are "willingly ignorant". God says, the believer should NOT do this!

Sometimes when we argue with an individual we may deliberately forget some valid point they made, or positive action they performed. "You never fix food I like." "We always do what you want!" God doesn't want us doing that to Him! Elijah said, "I am the only one left." He knew better! And so do we!

II. WHAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD NOT FORGET! [v. 3-16]

EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD NOT FORGET:

1. GOD HAD FORGIVEN HIM COMPLETELY! [v. 3a]

2. GOD HAS A PERFECT BODY PREPARED FOR HIM IN GLORY! [v.3b]

3. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU NEW LIFE TO LIVE [v. 4a]

The plowing of the wicked is sin... the believer has been "raised to walk in newness of life"!

4. GOD CONTINUES TO BLESS US UNDESERVEDLY [v. 4b-5]

5. GOD IS KEEPING PERFECT BOOKS! [v. 6]

6. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS PRECIOUS WORD! [v. 7]

7. GOD CONTINUES TO BE MERCIFUL & GRACIOUS! [v. 8-12]

8. GOD LOVES US! [v. 13]

9. GOD KNOWS OUR WEAKNESSES [v. 14-16]

Remember these things on purpose. Rehearse them in your heart and you will easily bless the Lord!

III. WHAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD REALIZE! [v. 17-22]

1. GOD'S MERCY IS AVAILABLE! [v. 17a]

2. GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AVAILABLE [v. 17b-18]

3. GOD'S VICTORIOUS REIGN IS INEVITABLE! [v. 19-22]