The Believer Gratefully Recounting His Mercies
Psalm 103:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:


I. THE EXHORTATION GIVEN. Show that you do not slight the benefits which God has bestowed upon you, but hold them up, and evidence your gratitude before God and the Church.

1. Publicly.

2. In private.

3. By your actions.

II. THE BENEFIT DECLARED. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities," Not a part of them; not the greatest sins which we may have committed, to the exclusion of the less.

III. THE COMMUNICATION MADE. "Who healeth all thy diseases." And truly our diseases are many. Look at the disease of the understanding. Although it may be brought by tuition to the comprehension of much that relates to our redemption, it is nevertheless totally incapable of comprehending Divine things, unless God heals it; for the understanding is so corrupted by sin, that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them." And how is this done? The operation of the Spirit of God consisteth in letting light into the understanding — the light of life — Jesus Christ our Lord. So there is the rectification of the will. Though our wills are naturally stubborn, and we are inclined to turn to that which is opposed to God, and to turn from God, yet let but the Holy Spirit enter into our understandings and our wills, and then we find rectitude. Thus He "healeth" our will. He further gives a direction to our affections. For the affections of the heart are all alienated. But God the Holy Spirit communicates an impulse to the soul, whereby the poisonous influences of this terrestrial atmosphere are so far counteracted that they shall not be fatal to our souls.

IV. A DELIVERANCE ACCOMPLISHED. "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction" — i.e. from the consequences of sin, from the love of sin, from the fear of death; and from eternal torment.

V. THE RECEPTION OF A PROMISED BLESSING. "Crowning" the soul here denotes the application of these wonderful mercies, which God has communicated to us in Christ. It signifies the enjoyment of them all. It further signifies power over sin and Satan.

VI. THE GRATIFICATION OF THE SPIRITUAL APPETITE. "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things."

VII. "THY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE'S." This expression is used to signify, that saints, through the grace of God, even in old age become "fat and flourishing, steadfast and unmovable," "fruitful in every good word and work." They "run and are not weary, they walk and do not faint"; and they rejoice in the approach of their end.

(T. B. Baker, M.A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

WEB: Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don't forget all his benefits;




Remembrance of God's Benefits
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