As we approach Thanksgiving, it is a natural time to reflect on gratitude and the many reasons we have to be thankful. Gratitude flows naturally when we take time to focus our attention on someone or something we love. In Psalm 103, David directs his attention entirely to the Lord. This Psalm is a beautiful outpouring of worship and thanksgiving, born from meditating on all that God has done, is doing, and has promised to do.
David is not just reflecting passively; he is actively preaching to his own heart, commanding it to bless the Lord. Whether life is full of blessings or challenges, this Psalm serves as a reminder to fix our eyes on the goodness and faithfulness of God. It is a call to recalibrate our hearts, allowing thanksgiving to flow from a deep awareness of His steadfast love and mercy. Whether you are in a season of joy or a time of struggle, Psalm 103 reminds us of this truth: we have countless reasons to praise God.
Two Commands
David’s words in Psalm 103 provide two clear commands to guide our hearts toward gratitude and worship. These commands act as guardrails, helping us align our thoughts and actions with the truth of who God is and what He has done for us.
1. Bless = To Say Good Things About the Lord in a Spirit of Admiration, Gratitude, and Wonder
David begins with: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1). This is an active command to praise, glorify, and speak well of the Lord. To “bless” the Lord means to declare His goodness with admiration, gratitude, and wonder. It is not just about singing songs or reciting prayers; it is about aligning every part of our being — heart, mind, emotions, and will — with the truth of who God is. David calls for all that is within us to join in blessing His holy name.
When we gather for worship, we are not starting something new; we are joining a chorus already in progress. In heaven, angels and all of creation continually declare the glory of God, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy.” Our worship on earth is an extension of that eternal praise. But there’s a danger here: it’s easy to go through the motions or focus more on the gifts than the Giver. Charles Spurgeon once warned, “It is possible to fail to bless the Lord while you praise His gifts.” True worship keeps God at the center, not ourselves or even the blessings we receive.
David’s command to bless the Lord is not contingent on circumstances. Whether we are in a season of joy or hardship, God is still worthy of our praise. He is the King of the universe, the Creator who calls stars into being and holds the depths of the oceans in His hands. David preaches to his own heart, stirring up worship and reminding himself of God’s unmatched worth. Like David, we too must preach to our hearts, urging every part of us to bless the Lord with awe, gratitude, and admiration.
2. Do Not Forget
David’s second command is equally crucial: “Forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Forgetting God’s goodness is a real danger. David reminds us to consciously recall and give thanks for God’s blessings, refusing to let them slip from our minds.
There are two primary ways we might forget God’s goodness:
- Taking His Blessings for Granted: It is easy to overlook everyday blessings — our health, our homes, and even the ability to gather with loved ones. How often do we pause to thank God for these gifts? David challenges us to see and acknowledge the hand of God in every provision and blessing, no matter how ordinary it may seem.
- Allowing Suffering to Cloud Our View: Suffering and brokenness have a way of narrowing our focus, making it difficult to see beyond the pain. David, who wrote many of his psalms while fleeing for his life, knew this struggle well. Yet, even in his hardship, he called on his soul to bless the Lord and remember His faithfulness.
Gratitude does not deny our suffering, but it widens our perspective. It reminds us that God’s goodness is still present, even in the midst of trials, and that the pain we endure will not have the final word. Gratitude shifts our focus from what is lacking to what God has provided, drawing our eyes back to His grace and faithfulness.
David’s commands to bless the Lord and not forget anchors us in a life of gratitude and worship. They challenge us to look beyond ourselves, beyond our circumstances, and fix our hearts on the unchanging goodness of our King.
4 Reasons to Bless the Lord
David does not just call us to bless the Lord in Psalm 103 — he gives us ample reasons why we should. This psalm is brimming with reminders of God’s goodness and the blessings He bestows on His children. David’s words prompt us to reflect on who God is and what He has done, inspiring us to worship with gratitude and awe.
1. Forgiveness
David begins by reminding us of God’s ultimate gift: “Who forgives all your iniquity” (Psalm 103:3). God’s forgiveness is not partial or conditional; it is complete. Through Jesus, our sins — past, present, and future — are fully pardoned.
This forgiveness is a profound act of grace. We stand guilty before a holy God, yet He removes the weight of our sin, placing it on Jesus instead. As David says, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), never to be brought against us again. The magnitude of this forgiveness should lead us to unending gratitude. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can confidently approach God, free from guilt and shame.
2. Healing
David continues: “Who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3). While physical healing is part of God’s promise, this verse also speaks to the deeper healing of our souls. The disease of sin, which infects every part of us, is healed through Christ’s work on the cross. We are no longer enslaved to sin’s power or condemned by its penalty.
God’s healing extends to every part of our being — spiritual, emotional, and physical. While we may still experience sickness in this life, we hold to the promise that one day, God will make all things new. Revelation assures us that a day is coming when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we trust in God’s timing, knowing He brings healing in ways that are good and perfect.
3. Redemption
David proclaims, “Who redeems your life from the pit” (Psalm 103:4). Redemption means being released by payment, and God has paid the ultimate price to rescue us. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, He has purchased our freedom from sin and death.
This redemption is not only about saving us from punishment; it is about restoring us to a place of honor. David says God “crowns you with steadfast love and mercy” (Psalm 103:4). We are not merely forgiven — we are adopted into God’s family, called His children, and treated with the love and compassion of a perfect Father.
4. Satisfaction
David concludes this section by declaring, “Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). True satisfaction can only come from God. The world offers temporary joy and fleeting fulfillment, but God provides lasting contentment and purpose.
When we find our significance, meaning, and joy in God, we experience a deep satisfaction that nothing in this world can take away. This satisfaction sustains us through both life and death. It is the joy that allowed David and countless believers to face trials with hope and peace, knowing their ultimate reward was secure in God.
This psalm challenges us to live with hearts full of gratitude, continually blessing the Lord for His forgiveness, healing, redemption, and satisfaction. As Thanksgiving approaches, let’s take time to reflect on these blessings and share them with those around us. Gather with your family, speak of God’s goodness, and join in the eternal worship already happening in heaven. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
