"Bless the Lord, O my soul", so begins David's beautiful hymn of praise in Psalm 103. David tells us to Bless the Lord because it is He who redeems, He who forgives and He who satisfies. David tells us He is merciful, gracious, compassionate and abounding in steadfast love. David says God doesn't deal with us according to our sins or repay us according to our iniquities. He removes our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west,"(v. 12). David explains that this great love He has for us is for those who fear God and keep His commandments.
Mercy and Grace
While reading this beautiful Psalm of David I noticed that David uses many words that in a modern reader's mind seem almost synonymous but they are not. Mercy is an act of compassionate kindness, while grace is an unmerited gift. Grace is a gift given when no gift is deserved.
Compassion
And what of compassion? When we have compassion towards someone, we empathize with them. We can feel what they are feeling. We have pity on them. There is a beautiful verse in Matthew 9:36 where we are told about Jesus's compassion,
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."
Can't you just imagine the scene? Jesus tenderly looks out over the great crowds that were following Him, each person looking for something: healing, forgiveness, a new life, each one weary and tired from the cares of the world with no one to tend them, no shepherd to care for them. And He was moved.... This is how He looks at each of us today.
The Steadfast Love Of God
David also speaks of God's steadfast love. We don't use the word steadfast much anymore. This is a translation of the Hebrew word 'hesed'. This word combines the idea of love and loyalty into one word. God shows His steadfast love towards us in that even when we are unfaithful to Him, even when we stray from Him, He will be there for us, drawing us back to Him. He watches over us as a loving Father. As Jeremiah reminds us in Lamentations 3:22,
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;".
What Is Sin?
David speaks of our sins, iniquities and transgressions. We often use these words interchangeably but they do have different meanings. The literal definition of sin is "anything that falls short of the mark". Like an archer aiming at a target with his arrow. Anything other than a bullseye is "short of the mark". Anything less than perfection is sin. Sin can be unholy things we do and sin can also be holy things we fail to do. We are all born with a nature that tends towards sin because of the fall of Adam in the garden. Paul reminds us that "all have sinned and fallen short" (Romans 3:23).
What Is Iniquity?
Iniquity is a premeditated choice. This is when we know very well that something is wrong. We know that God may punish us for it but we don't care. We do it anyway, we even plan it. We do it without the fear of the Lord that we should have. David's plan to kill Bathsheba's husband Uriah was iniquity. Micah 2:1 tells us, "Woe to those who plan iniquity."
What Is Transgression?
Transgression implies rebellion. It is a betrayal of our relationship with God. I John 3:4 tells us that "sin is the transgression of the law." It is something we willfully choose to do. Transgression is an action and sin happens because of it. Sin is the violation of God's law.
"Bless The Lord, O My Soul"
"Bless the Lord, O my soul" that God does not repay us according to our sinful deeds. Our transgressions, our rebellions against God's will, are totally removed by Him when we ask for forgiveness. Only the perfect sacrifice of Christ could enable this to happen. While we may remember our sins, iniquities and transgressions, when we repent and turn from them, God no longer does.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ·
Forgiven, Redeemed, and Satisfied
From Everlasting To Everlasting
Psalm 103 says that God remembers we are dust (v. 14). Our days, David says, are like the flowers in the field, here one day and gone the next (v. 15). God has pity on us. He has compassion for our weaknesses and failures. And while we may be like dust, gone and forgotten, His steadfast love for us is "from everlasting to everlasting"(v. 17) for those who fear Him and remember to do His commandments (v. 18). It is His kingdom that rules over all (v.19).
In Revelation 21:5, John tells us that God will make all things new. Sinful though we may be, God renews us with His forgiveness and everlasting love. His compassion never fails. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. He is our Father and His Son is our brother, "Bless the Lord, O my soul"!
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