Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is in me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1
This first verse of Psalm 103 encapsulates what the life of a child of God should be, living to bless the Lord and His holy name. The term translated bless here means “to kneel…as an act of adoration” (Strong). The very name of the Lord should prompt humble service and adoration of God. In the following verses, David paints a beautiful picture of “…all His benefits” and urges remembrance of the same (vs. 2). He speaks of God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, lovingkindness, tender mercies, satisfaction of hunger, renewal of youth (strength), execution of justice and righteousness, mercy and grace, slow temper, willingness to subdue His anger. and the withholding and removal of transgressions for those who fear Him. He provides so many benefits for which we ought to give thanks!
Beginning in verse 13, He gives us the reason why He provides such care for us. “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” Anyone with children they love immediately understands this pity. Children often do things which draw the ire of their parents. When wrongs are committed, correction is necessary. Some parents are quick to become angry and harshly punish their children. Some circumstances demand swift, serious consequences to protect them from continuing in harmful behaviors. However, most parents have a natural compassion for their children driven by their love for them. There is an understanding that children do not know how to act on their own, and for this reason they need guidance and help navigating this life. This is precisely what is indicated in this passage.
As the Psalm continues, we learn why the One whose thoughts and ways are so much higher than our own can be compassionate to us (Isaiah 55:8-9). Verse 14 reads, “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” As the one who created us, God is not ignorant of the weaknesses and challenges we face in seeking to serve Him. This reality became particularly clear when Christ came as Immanuel/Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). God has experienced what it is to be human. As the Hebrews writer put it, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The term sympathize comes from a compound Greek word, sumpatheia: sun, meaning “with, together” and pathos, meaning “to suffer.” Put these together, and it means to suffer together or with another.
Because Christ was “…in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” He is uniquely qualified to be our High Priest and to give us the help we need to overcome Satan’s attacks. Because of His selfless sacrifice, we are now enabled to come with confidence to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help us through it. For this, we ought to join David in saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is in me, bless His holy name!” How beautiful to know our Lord and Master knows our frame and has compassion on us despite our weaknesses! However, we must not forget the qualifying statement that this pity is on those who fear the Lord. God forbid that we should think we may continue in sin that grace may abound (Romans 6:1).