LovE AND WoRSH IP GoD Lesson Scripture: Psalm 103: 1-17a (ending with "him"), 21-22 Focus Scripture: Psalm 103: 1-17a (ending with "him"), 21-22 Key Verse: As far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgressions from us. Psalm 103: 12 (NRSV) PSALM 103:1-17 (ENDING WITH "HIM"), 21-22 (NRSV) Psalm 103:1-17 (ending with "him") 1 Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and do not forget all his benefits- 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. 1 0 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. 14 For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;.. 15 PSALM 103:1-17 (ENDING WITH "HIM"), 21-22 (KJV) Psalm 103:1-17 (ending with "him") 1 Bless the Lord, 0 my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;. 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 1 0 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,... 21-22 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul. KEY TERMS Merciful: Exercising tender compassion... Iniquity: Guilt, punishment for wicked acts. Transgression: Breach of trust, rebellious acts. INTRODUCTION It is difficult to understand the magnitude of God's love. There is nothing on earth that can compare to it. In our relationships with one another, we tend to hold grudges, see one another's faults, and remember past hurts or shortcomings. God, unlike us, does none of these things. The psalmist recognizes God's mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. This undeserved kindness and favor of God causes the psalmist to burst out in exuberant praise, "Bless the Lord, oh my soul!" As the psalmist thinks about more and more of God's blessings, the benefits are listed in line after line in this. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,... 21-22 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, 0 my soul. joyful song. No other god removes sins an unlimited distance from people. TELLING THE BIBLE STORY The book of Psalms contains 150 prayers, and/or poems. Psalms express a variety of emotions. King David penned many of them and they detail the seasons of his life. He sang when he was troubled, when he sinned, when he was afraid, when he was victorious. More people have probably read the book of Psalms than any other Bible book. The psalms provide inspiration-celebration-rejuvenation. Holistic Praise for Benefits (verses 1-9) This jubilant song begins with a command to the soul: bless the Lord. Contained in the word "bless" is the thought of humility, that is, putting something of greater significance above the self for the soul truly to praise the Lord. ln Hebrew the word nefesh, which means soul, includes-the breath-the mind-the thoughts-the 16
emotions. All these parts must humbly recognize God as almighty. Verse 2 provides a means of knowing God's magnificence. The psalmist advises us to forget not all God's benefits. In other words, remember how God has always acted with favor on our behalf. If people had a thousand tongues, they could not tell all that God has done for them. There are benefits in being a Christian. Although this psalm was written before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, it clearly highlights God's healing and redemption plan. These two benefits remind us that our debt where we will live forever-that is, the new earth (Rev. 21:1 ). Love Covers a Multitude of Sins (verses 1 0-14) God by definition is love (1 John 4:8). Paul describes love, the greatest gift, in 1 Corinthians 13. In these verses, we see God giving this type of love. God does If people had a thou- sand tongues, they could not tell all that to God is forgiven. God has done for them. In the Torah (the Old Testament), offenses specific requ ired restitution (payments) be made to the victim (Exodus 22:2-3, 5-6; Leviticus 6:1-6). There was also a provision for land redemption. If a Jewish person had forfeited their land a relative known as a gael (kinsman redeemer) could buy it back (Ruth 3:12-13). As noted by the psalmist, a benefit for Christians is Jesus not keep a record of our wrongdoing. Instead, God removes those blemishes/ stains from us. In Jewish culture the word for sin, chet, meant to miss the mark. Feeling guilty, sorrowful, or repentant are normal reactions whenever we stray from the path God has set for us. Every time we sin is another opportunity for us to experience God's great love. Instead of holding our misdeeds against us, God offers compassion. A Brief Journey (verses 15-22) Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. These words, usually spoken at gravesides, should remind us that our time on earth is limited. God perceives that we are our kinsman and redeemer; Jesus our dust - substance from the ground that relative (Mt. 12:46-50). Jesus paid the debt we owe God for violating the law, and with his blood purchased the land is shaped into bodies in our mothers' wombs (Psalm 139:13-16). According to the psalmist, like grass we are here one 17
moment and gone the next. However, God's love is infinite and never ceases. Since our journey on earth is short, we should live a life that prepares us for death. Even after we are no longer visible on earth, God's love remains with us. God's continual forgiveness, redemption plan, and continual love shoulcfinspire us to join with all of creation in praise. SANKOFA CASE STUDY On a recent trip to Rwanda, we worshipped at several AME churches. At every church we visited, all the members joined in worship: children, teens, young adults, and seniors. They danced and sang to God. These worship celebrations lasted for hours. These were people living in a country that had been ravished by genocide. Now a little over 20 years later, Phillis Wheatley, born in they display God- Senegal/Gambia, was Since our journey on given attributes of captured and transported earth is short we should compassion ~nd grace to the United States ' celebrated 1n Psalm where she was enslaved. live a life that prepares 103. The Rwandan An abolitionist, Wheatley US for death. people serve as an authored and published example of love and poetry during the 18th forgiveness. They century. Her early poems included "An Elegiac Poem on the Death of That Celebrated Divine, and Eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned George Whitefield." Because American publishers refused to work with her, Wheatley's poems were published in England. She continued to hear the voice of God and like the psalmist, wrote poems to further evangelism, end slavery, and glorify God. One of her greatest works, "On Being Brought from Africa to America," included the line, "Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, /May be refin'd and join th' angelic train." 18 give us a model for how nations can heal. LIFE APPLICATION Music can transform. Lyrics can help us meditate on God and remind us of who God is. History, present and future, is brought to life through singing. Today's lesson offers us an opportunity to think about God's love given freely. It also reminds us that long before Jesus was born a redemption plan existed. Further, Psalm 1 03 commands that when we focus on God we put aside any thought or emotion that interferes, and sing praise to God who forgives us. Methodists are
a singing people-as we s1ng during every situation in life: highs and lows, worship, let us not give lip service but focus our attention on what the songs mean. QUESTIONS What makes it easy or difficult to praise God with our mind, body, and soul?.. How do you prepare daily for your death? wealth and poverty, faith and despair. Psalm 103 reminds us that no matter what may occur we should bless the Lord. The psalm lets us know God's benefits of love -forgiveness- favor are free. For these reasons, we should bless the Lord. CLOSING DEVOTIONS Sing: "Bless the Lord, 0 My Soul" How can/do the words you sing change your perspective? SUMMARY The book of Psalms is a collection of prayers and poems set to music about our relationship with God. Psalms reflect Prayer: Thank you, God, for loving us. Thank you for all of your benefits, your forgiveness, your mercy, your Son Jesus. Thank you for never leaving us even when we miss the mark. Show us how to give you the blessings you deserve. In Jesus' name. Amen. HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS December 10-December 16 Monday Tuesday Romans 8:31-39 (Nothing Separates Us from God's Love) Psalm 86:1-7 (An Answer in Time of Trouble) Wednesday Psalm 86:8-13 (Let Me Walk in Your Truth) Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Nehemiah 9:16-21 (Acts of God's Steadfast Love) Exodus 34:1-7 (God Abounds in Steadfast Love) Numbers 14:13-20 (God Forgives and Loves People) Psalm 103:1-17 (ending with "him"), 21-22 (The People Bless the Lord) 19