PSALM 103 - DAVID'S LEGACY OF PRAISE

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 103, 1 Kings 2, 2 Samuel 24

This is a PSALM OF DAVID, probably written in his last days, wanting to leave a legacy to his son Solomon who he was soon to anoint as the new king;  and the people of Israel, who he had endeavoured to serve as a "man after God's own heart". In HUMILITY and GRATITUDE, David praised God, as he had many a time before, for all GOD'S GOODNESS, MERCY AND LOVE.

The first few verses, 1-5, speak of what God has done for David personally, specifically in the area of FORGIVENESS.  In Verses 6-18, David goes on to speak of what God has done for all  His people. Again, in his great LOVE AND MERCY, he recalls how the Israelites were delivered out of slavery in Egypt. Finally, in Verses 19-22, we read  how David, nearing the end of his life, is hoping to sing GOD'S PRAISES with the Angels in Heaven.

In the final scenes of David's life, we read of both good and bad times. Words of godly advice as he anoints his son, but also the desire to "settle an old score" and disobeying God's will, with the census. He became a "flawed hero". Yet, he still seeks forgiveness from God, and returns to Him. Though, in his life, he had "turned away from God" for short moments, GOD NEVER LEFT HIM.

There is no escaping the consequences of wrong doing, just like David. But with the FORGIVENESS AND MERCY OF OUR FATHER, like David, we are STILL ABLE TO PRAISE HIM. David wants to give us too, a LEGACY OF PRAISE, and a reminder of who God truly is.

PRAISE GOD WITH MY INNER BEING - Read Psalm 103:1-5

In this first part of this Psalm King David reminds himself that in all that he has done in his life - good and bad - in his inner most being, he still needs to PRAISE THE LORD. Hebrew is the language David speaks and "all that I am" means his "soul" and "everything that is in him". This is how we too need to PRAISE THE LORD. We also need to PRAISE HIS "HOLY NAME" because He is pure and sinless, God has never done anything wrong. 

"All that I am, PRAISE THE LORD. Everything in me, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. My whole being, PRAISE THE LORD, Do not forget all His kindness." Psalm 103:1&2 (ICB)

"PRAISE THE LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. PRAISE THE LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Psalm 103:1&2 (NIV)

"The "PIT" mentioned in Verse 4 was the place the Jews named Sheol, where they believed they went when they died. When God forgives us, we are REDEEMED (SAVED) from this PIT. On his death bed, David would have been glad to have known this. The GREAT MERCY OF GOD, would have given him a place in Heaven, rather than Sheol (the Pit).

"The Lord forgives me from all my sins. He heals all my diseases. He saves my life with GRACE, He loads me with LOVE and MERCY." Psalm 103:3&4 (ICB)

"David felt this LOVE OF THE LORD and had a great passion for GOD WHO WAS WITH HIM. Deep within his heart, he had this THIRST FOR GOD and a DEEP DEPENDENCE ON HIM. This was how his relationship began, with humility and a deep need for Him, and this is why he would pass it on." El Centro Network

Even in His final days, David felt GOD'S STRENGTH, like a "young eagle", a large bird "flying through the sky strong and free."   When God forgives us, we feel like David felt, and we definitely want to PRAISE GOD IN HOPE.

"He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like an eagle." 

                                                                      Psalm 103:5 (NIV)

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will sour high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD - Read Psalm 103:6-18;         Exodus 3,4,12:31-15:21; 1 Chronicles 29:1-20

In these verses David talks about the "Covenant People" - the Israelites. They agreed to LOVE and OBEY GOD. God told Moses His plan to take His people out of Egypt, and HE WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS PEOPLE. 

"But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."  Exodus 14:13&14 (NLT)

"Moses told the people of God that there home with God was there DWELLING PLACE. Do you have this thirst for God and this spontaneous outburst of your soul that makes you want to lives in GOD's TRUE DWELLING PLACE." El Centro Network

Why does God want this for us?

1. HE IS KIND AND MERCIFUL.

"The Lord is COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL, slow to get angry and filled with UNFAILING LOVE. For His UNFAILING LOVE TOWARRDS US who fear Him is as great as the height of the Heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the East is from the West."

                                                          Psalm 103:8, 11&12 (NLT)

2. HE IS A COMPASSIONATE FATHER. 

"The Lord is like a father to His children, TENDER AND COMPASSIONATE to those who fear Him." Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

God made us and knew what we were like from dust. He knew that our lives were short, like flowers. He is righteous with us, just as He was with His people - the Israelites - who obeyed Him. 

It is true today, as it was in the past,  YOUR LIFE AND YOUR LOVE FOR GOD is going to make a difference. GOD PROMISES THAT HIS LOVE and MERCY  NEVER ENDS, and He will always CARE for our children and grandchildren, even more than we do. His LOVE AND COMPASSION is so OVERWHELMING! You see, God sees the BIGGER PICTURE! You, too, like David, can have a LEGACY OF PRAISE, when we remember  GOD'S MERCY, LOVE AND COMPASSION.

"Then David said to the whole assembly: "GIVE PRAISE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD!" And the entire assembly praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors; and they bowed low and knelt before the Lord and King." 1 Chronicles 29:20 (NLT)

JOIN IN ANGEL's PRAISES - Read Psalm 103:19-22;                  1 Kings 2:1-5

This Psalm ends with David speaking of the Angels, God's Servants, PRAISING GOD IN HEAVEN. David too, was a servant of God, and he knew that his days were numbered. Heaven was God's home, and David soon hoped that he would be able to sit at the throne of his Father God. He too would be able to JOIN IN THE ANGEL'S PRAISES. 

These may have been the last words that David set down in a Psalm. His thoughts centred on God's dynasty, and He himself who was a "man after God's own heart". 

"PRAISE THE LORD, everything that He has created, everything in all His Kingdom. LET ALL THAT I AM, PRAISE THE LORD." Psalm 103:22 (NLT)

CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 103; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

David urges everyone to PRAISE GOD. He talks of God's FAITHFULNESS, MERCY AND LOVE; and praises Him personally with His people, and then we would hope with the angels in Heaven.

We are to avoid allowing God to become so "commonplace" that we forget to praise Him. PRAY DAVID'S PSALM OF PRAISE - HIS LEGACY. 

In 1834 the British Clergyman Henry Francis Lyte wrote this hymn, "PRAISE MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN", as a development of Psalm 103. Like David, Lyte urged us not to forget the Lord's benefits: "ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven".  He also indicates  "God is slow to chide" and "quick to bless". 

This is a GREAT SONG OF PRAISE, and was chosen by Queen Elizabeth to be sung at her wedding. It is something that can help us maintain our spirit of WORSHIP AND PRAISE, just like DAVID's LEGACY.

"David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly saying, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord is the GREATNESS and the POWER and the MAJESTY and the SPLENDOUR, for everything in Heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the Kingdom, You are exalted as Head over all......now O GOD WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND PRAISE YOUR GLORIOUS NAME." 1 Chronicles 29:10,11 &13

Lyte, Henry Francis, "Praise  My Soul the King of Heaven", 1834, The Spirit of Psalms,. (Commonwealth Service, 2022, Wesminster Abbey)

"The Holy Bible - International Children's Bible: Magnify", 2015, Tommy Nelson

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook of the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson.

Churchyard, Gordon, "Psalm 103 - The Love of God", 2002, Wycliife Association, www.easyenglish.bible.com

El Centro Network, "David - A Man After God's Own Heart", 2002, New Version

Lucado, Max, "The Devotional Bible, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, New Century Version", 2003, Thomas Nelson

Peterson, William & Ardythe, "The Complete Book of Hymns", 2006, Tyndale Publishers

PSALM 102 - A PRAYER OF HOPE FOR ANXIOUS HEARTS

INTRODUCTION - Read  Psalm 102; Jeremiah 29:1-14; Nehemiah 1:4-6;  8:5-10

The writer of this Psalm is unknown, but many commentaries agree that it is likely to have been Nehemiah, Jeremiah or Daniel, during the time of exile to Babylon; for this was definitely a time of "sadness" and "anxiety". These men were also known as "men of prayer", who would pray not only for their own concerns, but also for the people in their communities - God's people, the Israelites.

Psalm 102:1-11, is a personal "sad complaint" in which the Psalmist speaks of his own "great affliction". Yet, it would have been a something that most of the Jewish people would have been feeling during this time of exile.  

"Hear my prayer, Lord, LET MY CRY FOR HELP COME TO YOU. Do not hide your face from me. WHEN I AM IN DISTRESS, turn your ear to me. WHEN I CALL, ANSWER ME QUICKLY."

 Psalm 102:1&2 (NIV)

"When I heard these things, I SAT DOWN AND WEPT. For some days I mourned and fasted and PRAYED before the God of Heaven." Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

Psalm 102:12-22 are words of encouragement for God's people. as they consider the HOPE and STRENGTH they can have from their "eternal God", who would ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS. They could have confidence and faith in their God, who would, IN TIME, rescue them from their affliction.

"The Lord will REBUILD JERUSALEM, and His glory will be seen. He will ANSWER THE PRAYERS OF THE NEEDY. He will NOT REJECT THEIR PRAYERS." Psalm 102:16&17 (CEV)

"Do not grieve, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH." Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV)

Finally, Psalm 102:23-28, is another "prayer of lament" for the afflicted, but it is also a time of hope. The Psalmist looks forward to the "resurrection" of his nation, because of his eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, creator God, and His Son Jesus Christ. They would have a bright future. God is gracious  and cares for His people. We, like the Israelites, can have a calm confidence for our future and that of our children.

"No Zion, thou shalt never perish. The sun is not set forever; brighter days are in store for thee."

                                                                                               Charles Spurgeon

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "PLANS TO PROSPER YOU and not to harm you, TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE." Jeremiah 29:11

 

MY PRAYER - Read Psalm 102:1-11; Nehemiah 1:4-11, 4:4-14;      Daniel 9:3-19; Jeremiah 12, 20;7&8.

The Psalmist "humbly begs God" to listen to his prayer of suffering. In their books, Nehemiah, Jeremiah and Daniel are known for their prayers, both their "complaints", and their blessings for God's people. These men all suffered in their life, at one time or another, with "great trouble and grief". At times they felt the "anger (wrath) of God", not only for themselves personally, but for their family, friends and community. 

The Psalmist likens himself to birds - the PELICAN, OWL and SPARROW. These were usually "emblems of gloom". Writers in the Word would usually use EAGLES who were symbols of strength, but the grief of his people had really brought him down. He was feeling, not only "melancholy", but also "alone, like a bird who had lost it's mate or it's young." 

We, even as Christians, feel this way when we have lost a loved one, or when we have gone through a real trial, and are grieving, depressed or anxious. But by PERSEVERING IN PRAYER we can find THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD  WILL LIFT US UP.

"The Sovereignty of God in all things is an unfailing ground for CONSOLATION - HE RULES AND REIGNS whatever happens, and therefore ALL IS WELL!" Charles Spurgeon

Daniel, Nehemiah and Jeremiah were all MEN OF FAITH. They knew from experience that God would LISTEN TO THEIR PRAYERS. He was a GOD OF MERCY AND COMPASSION and the Psalmist, whoever he may have been, knew that God would not have ignored him, in his prayer.

In the style of one who was truly MOURNING, His pain was TRULY DEEP INSIDE. It effected his body as well as his internal organs spiritually (the heart), and he had "no appetite". Worst of all was the "affliction that came from enemies". These men all faced "constant disapproval and rejection". They were "forever mocked", particularly persecution for the work they were doing for the Lord. The Psalmist felt like "life was short and had no meaning". 

"At that time I, Daniel, mourned for 3 weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the 3 weeks were over." Daniel 10:2&3 (NIV)

"At this the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds to charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said: "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of the Lord.". Daniel 6:4-5 (NIV)

GOD'S ANSWERS - Read Psalm 102:12-22;  Jeremiah 29:4-12; Nehemiah 8:5-9:31

God is always LOVING, MERCIFUL and GRACIOUS. Although Jerusalem was in a time of distress, there would come a time "when she would be helped". God would LISTEN TO HIS PEOPLE'S PRAYERS and they would be GREATLY ENCOURAGED.

"Then you will call on me and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)

"You will come and have MERCY on Jerusalem, because the time has now come TO BE KIND TO HER, the RIGHT TIME HAS COME." Psalm 102:23 (CEV)

God took notice of the prayers of His afflicted people, even the groans and moaning, and He answered them with GRACE. In this case it was with the release of His people who had been "prisoners and captives in Babylon". 

"But in your GREAT MERCY you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD." Nehemiah 9:31 (NIV)

"This is what the Lord says: "When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place." Jeremiah 29:10 (NIV)

"Though in deep affliction the Psalmist had great confidence that the Psalmist would ACT and SHOW MERCY to Jerusalem once again. At GOD'S APPOINTED TIME Jerusalem would be the object of God's favour. He had a set time for their RESTORATION and would never again leave them in ruin." David Guzik

The Psalmist's intent here in this Psalm was to say that the REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM would be an object of PRAISE AND WORSHIP for the Jewish people for MANY GENERATIONS to come. They will want to encourage and bring joy to their children with their stories, by "bringing delight" to them. 

"Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" They bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground." 

Nehemiah 8:6 (NIV)

"Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." Nehemiah 9:5 (NIV)

The RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM was the first part of God's greater work He was to do for His people and for the whole world. It was a testimony for the future, for "people who were not yet created may praise the Lord". God would look down from Heaven to:

* See what would happen in the WHOLE WORLD.

* Listen to the groaning of HIS PEOPLE.

* Bring SALVATION at His appointed time.

* Proclaim the NAME OF THE LORD - HIS SON JESUS.

* Gather His people TOGETHER.

* Receive the PRAISE AND WORSHIP of His servants.

"For God so loved the world that He gave HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes IN HIM shall not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE. For God did not send HIS SON INTO THE WORLD to condemn the world, but TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM." John 3:16&17

WHO IS MY GOD? - Read Psalm 102:23-28; Daniel 7,                 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Once again, in the last part of this Psalm, the Psalmist confesses "his weaknesses and frailities". He writes, like the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, that there were times, although he was a man of great faith, he struggled with personal weaknesses. Yet, it was in his weakness, that he found his greatness STRENGTH IN THE LORD. 

"Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said: "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weaknesses." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT)

God is ETERNAL and He sent His son Jesus, who like His Father, "is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow". (Hebrews 13:8) God and His Son Jesus were UNCHANINGING and have complete power over CREATION.  God was also OMNIPOTENT and OMNIPRESENT, and like Paul in his writings, the Psalmist ends his Psalm with a "note of confidence and triumph". Even if he did not see God's ULTIMATE VICTORY in his own day, he knew it would definitely be seen in the life of his children.

"He was given AUTHORITY, HONOUR and SOVEREIGNTY over all the nations of the world, so the people of every race, nation and language would obey Him. HIS RULE IS ETERNAL - it will NEVER END! His Kingdom will never be destroyed." Daniel 7:14 (NLT)

"But YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE and YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER END. Our children will LIVE IN YOUR PRESENCE and their children will remain with You." Psalm 102:28 (CEV)

CONCLUSION 

There is a wonderful PROGRESSION IN THIS PSALM:

* The Psalmist begins with an HONEST DECLARATION OF HIS OWN MISERY.

* Then he looks OUTSIDE HIMSELF to the PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY AROUND HIM.

* He then goes to look for the SALVATION OF THE WORLD.

* Finally, he looks OUTSIDE HIS TIME TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.

The Psalmist distress was not HOPELESS, for through FAITH he saw a glorious future for unborn generations. God will never forget about us. He will always protect and restore us, NOW, as he did in the PAST, and He will do so in the FUTURE.

"DON'T SUFFER ALONE! When you feel attacked and overwhelmed with anxiety, LOOK TO THE LORD, your friends and your mentors, and THEY WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH!" Max Lucado

"RESTORATION AND REFORMATION come and are still coming! The GOOD NEWS OF ABOUNDING GRACE and the POWER OF THE GOSPEL is the REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH, and it will go on into Heaven for the RESURRECTED." C.M Ward

"The Devotional Bible: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus - New Century Version - ", Max Lucado, 2003, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

Guzik, David, "Psalm 102: Afflicted, But Full of Trust - Enduring Word Bible Commentary",

2020, ewm, enduringword.com

Henry, Matthew & Manser, Martin H, "The New Matthew Henry Commentary", 2002, Zondervan

Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David: Commentary on Psalms", 1885, 2021, Christianity.com

Ward, C.M, "Review Time Pulpit - Book 8, General Council of Assemblies of God", 1964, Radio Department Copyright.