Bless The Lord, O My Soul
Awakening to God’s Goodness”
By Pastor Rodel Paz
Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Introduction
Psalm 103 is one of the most beloved psalms in all of Scripture, attributed to King David—a man who knew both the heights of divine blessing and the depths of human failure. This psalm is not written in a moment of crisis, but in a season of reflection. David speaks not to a crowd, but to his own soul. It is deeply personal, yet profoundly instructive.
Historically, this psalm emerges from Israel’s rich tradition of remembering God’s covenant faithfulness. Literarily, it is a hymn of praise structured around remembrance—David is preaching to himself so he does not forget the goodness of God.
And isn’t that our struggle today? We are prone to forget. In a world filled with distractions, disappointments, and demands, we often lose sight of what God has already done. We magnify problems and minimize blessings.
Yet David calls his soul to attention: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). This psalm speaks directly into modern Christian life. We live in an age of anxiety, entitlement, and comparison—but God calls us to live in gratitude.
Central Message:
Gratitude begins when we intentionally recognize, recall, and respond to the goodness of God.
1. The CALL to Praise
Psalm 103:1 NKJV
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Insight & Word Study
The word “bless” (Hebrew: barak) means “to kneel” or “to adore.” It carries the idea of reverence and wholehearted worship. David is not making a suggestion—he is issuing a command to his own inner being. Notice the phrase “all that is within me.” This is not partial praise. This is total devotion—mind, heart, will, and emotions aligned in worship.
Exhortation
A. Don’t wait for feelings to praise—choose to praise.
B. Speak truth to your soul when your emotions lag behind.
C. Refuse half-hearted worship.
Reflection
True worship is not passive—it is intentional. Gratitude starts with a decision, not a feeling.
Psalm 42:5 NKJV
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Hebrews 13:15 NKJV
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Quote
“Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song.” — Charles Spurgeon
2. The CHARGE to Remember
Psalm 103:2 NKJV
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Insight & Word Study
The word “forget” (Hebrew: shakach) means to neglect or ignore. This is not about memory loss—it is about spiritual negligence. “Benefits” refers to God’s dealings—His acts of grace and mercy.
Exhortation
A. Don’t let blessings become background noise.
B. Remember intentionally—write it down, speak it out.
C. Gratitude requires discipline.
Reflection
A forgetful heart becomes a thankless heart.
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 NKJV
11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,
12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;
13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;
14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Psalm 77:11 NKJV
11 I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
Quote
“We would worry less if we praised more.” — Harry Ironside
3. The CATALOG of Blessings
Psalm 103:3-5 NKJV
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
A. Forgiveness (v.3)
The word “forgives” (salach) is used exclusively of God in the Old Testament.
Exhortation:
A. Stop carrying guilt God has removed.
B. Walk in the freedom of forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 NKJV
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B. Healing (v.3)
This includes physical and spiritual restoration.
Exhortation:
A. Trust God as your healer—even when healing looks different than expected.
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
C. Redemption (v.4)
“Redeems your life from destruction”—God rescues us from destruction.
Exhortation:
A. Remember where God brought you from.
B. Don’t glamorize your past bondage.
Titus 2:14 NKJV
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
D. Love (v.4)
“Crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,” The word “lovingkindness” (hesed) refers to covenant loyalty.
Exhortation:
A. Live like you are loved—because you are.
E. Satisfaction (v.5)
“Who satisfies your mouth with good things,”
Exhortation:
A. Stop chasing satisfaction in temporary things.
B. Let God define what is “good” in you.
Quote
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” — John Piper
4. The CONDITION of Renewal
Psalm 103:5 NKJV
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Insight & Word Study
“Renewed” (Hebrew: chadash) means to be made new, restored, refreshed. The eagle symbolizes strength and vitality.
Exhortation
A. Spiritual renewal comes from remembering God’s goodness.
B. Weariness often comes from misplaced focus.
Reflection
Gratitude revitalizes the soul.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Quote
“The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Conclusion
Psalm 103 calls us to awaken—to shake off spiritual forgetfulness and step into intentional gratitude.
We have seen:
A. The Call to Praise
B. The Charge to Remember
C. The Catalog of Blessings
D. The Condition of Renewal
God has forgiven you, healed you, redeemed you, loved you, and satisfied you. The only fitting response is a life of worship and thanksgiving.
Closing
Will you bless the Lord—not just with your lips, but with your life?
Will you remember what He has done?
Will you choose gratitude—even today?
churchtrac