Psalm 103 Reflection

"Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103: 2-5

 

Psalm 103 has been one of those scriptures that has dug into my heart and has continued to stick with me throughout my recovery.  It is a psalm of praise that comes from David.  I think before we read the psalm itself, it is important that we take a minute to consider the author.  King David was Israel’s second king.  He was a mighty warrior that defeated the Philistines and also famously slayed Goliath.  He was a fierce and mighty leader that reunited the tribes of Israel, established the capitol of Jerusalem, brought the ark of the covenant to its established resting place therein, and was considered the greatest king in Israelite history, to which Jesus is the genealogical heir. 

With all of his career success David lived a troubled life.  As a young man, the jealousy of then king, Saul, because of David’s growing fame in battle, drove him to flee with a price on his head.  He spent many years winning rouge battles that would eventually lead to his anointing of king after Saul was slain.  As Israel’s second king David had supreme career success.  He was able to reunite the tribes and set Israel apart as a blessed nation.  He was a man after God’s own heart and had an exemplary career of kingly success.  And even with all of that, David had struggles. 

In his early years David lived the life of a man on the run, and all the emotional, mental, and physical pain that comes with that.  Then as king, David struggled with lust that led to adultery.  This adultery eventually turned into murder as a cover up.  He repented and was forgiven, but then had to persevere through the painful loss of child.  Although a man of victory on the throne, David struggled as a father.  He failed to discipline his sons which led them to actions of rape, incest, murder, lying, cheating, and manipulating.  One of David’s own sons even tried to murder him in an attempt to take over his throne, and David ultimately ended up having to go through yet another painful loss of a child. 

          Psalm 103 is contributed to David in his later years of life.  He would have already been through all of these experiences.  All of the ups and downs attributed to his life’s journey.  All of the career success, pride, and fame.  All of the victorious battles, reuniting of a kingdom, and all kingly provision that comes with that.  But David also went through all lot of hardship.  His internal struggle led to a double life.  On the outside David had it all going on, but on the inside, he struggled with his faith, obedience, pride, lust, wrath, greed, and envy.  And as David writes this Psalm, he is reflecting on his life in its entirety.  He is reflecting on all that he has been through, all the difficult circumstances, the hurts, the habits of sin, and the hang-ups therein.  He is reflecting on the struggles as king, the hurt of bearing the loss of two sons, and the failures as a husband and father.  The beautiful part about Psalm 103 is that David can look back on his life and see all the ways God provided.  He can see all the ways God delivered, and he can see all the ways God forgives and redeems.  And what comes out on the other end is this beautiful Psalm of praise.  Praise for God’s mercy, grace, love, forgiveness.  And a praise that is coming from a broken man that God chose to use despite.  Because God loves us no matter what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through.  He loves us and calls us all to a place of forgiveness, deliverance, and redemption.  So, as we read Psalm 103, let us each reflect on our journey up to this point in recovery.  Allow our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to be open to the goodness of God in our journey following Jesus.  And let us reflect on how much our Lord and Savior loves each one of us and has delivered and redeemed us in our walk with Him.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!