Psalm 103

Carefully Examining the Text

This psalm is an inclusio, beginning and ending with the same words- 103:1, 22.
It is a David's call to himself to bless the LORD with all that is within Him.
Vs. 3-5 describes God's benefits
1. He forgives all your sins
2. He heals all your diseases
3. He redeems your life from the pit
4. He crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion
5. He satisfies you with good things
vs. 9-10 Tell us what His love means by telling us what it will not do
1. He will not always contend
2. He will not keep His anger forever
3. He does not deal with us according to our sins
4. He does not reward us according to our iniquities.
vs. 11-13 Three ways to describe the richness of God's love and forgiveness
1. Veritical- as high as heavens are above the earth
2. Horizontal- as far as the East is from the West
3, Relational- Just as a father has compassion on His children
How does Jesus fulfill Psalm 103?
1. He forgives our sins and heals our diseases- 103;3; Mark 2:1-12
2. He redeems our life from the pit- 103:4 resurrection
3. The cross is the ultimate illustration of the love of God described in vs. 8-13
4. The LORD's love is from everlasting (Eph. 1:4) to everlasting (I Thess. 4:17).