Psalm 103 is a Psalm of praise, bookended by the command to “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” David calls us to remember who God is and all that He has done – not only in the seasons when life is going well, but in every season. Our praise is not meant to rise and fall with our circumstances, because God Himself does not change.
He is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He knows our frailty, cares about our distress, forgives our sin, and reaches down to us in grace. The character of God is to redeem and restore – to set His children free. Our greatest victories are not necessarily the moments when we receive what we wanted or what we prayed for. The greatest victory is that He has saved us.
When we find ourselves dissatisfied with life, we often look everywhere for the missing piece. We turn to books, entertainment, accomplishments, relationships, or the promise that something else will finally make us whole. But Psalm 103 brings us back to the simplest truth: He is enough. Before we go looking everywhere else, we should go first to Him.
Our lives are temporary, like grass that flourishes and then fades, but His love is everlasting. And because of His grace, healing and redemption ultimately reach beyond this present life. We look forward to the day when Christ returns and we will live with Him forever, ruling and reigning with Him.
So bless the Lord – not only when you have everything you hoped for, but when you are waiting; not only when prayers are answered, but when they seem unanswered; not only on the mountaintop, but in the valley. Our praise does not depend on what we have or what we lack. It rests on who He is.
He is compassionate. He is merciful. He is faithful. He cares for us. He redeems us. And He is enough.
So, whatever season you are in today, remember His benefits, remember His character, and let your soul bless the Lord.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”
~~ Psalm 103:1
