Psalm 103

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God's Great and Wonderful Character

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should praise the Lord for His personal benefits.

  2. Believers should praise the Lord for His gracious lovingkindness.

  3. Belieers should praise the Lord for His total sovereignty.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don't remember what God forgets!

  2. Don't forget what God remembers!

QUESTIONS

  1. What does it mean to bless the Lord?

  2. From verses 1-5, list five personal benefits that the Lord gives to us as His beloved people.

  3. Discuss the Hebrew word "hesed."

  4. Who can be encouraged by verse 17?

  5. What are the hosts and works of verses 21-22?

ANSWERS

  1. To bless the Lord means to show admiration for the Lord as we thank and praise Him.

  2. Our salvation He heals all our diseases He redeems our life from the pit He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies He satisfies our mouth with good things

  3. This Hebrew word, used in verses 4, 8, 11, and 17, is so rich and full of meaning it is hard to translate into English with one word. Therefore translations vary using lovingkindness, mercy, or love. The Hebrew word conveys the idea of loyal and steadfast love, ad merciful and covenantal love that God has for His people.

  4. This verse can be an encouragement to parents and grandparents of children growing up today in this world of ever decreasing moral and spiritual values.

  5. The hosts refer to angels, and His works refer to all created things.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Psalm 103:8-12 contains a beautiful description of the Lord's attitude toward our sin. Take a few moments to discuss how complete God's forgiveness of us is when we come to Him.

  2. Psalm 103:14 tells us the Lord remembers that we are dust. Discuss how this verse can be a comfort to us, and a reminder that the Lord is graciously aware of our frailty. Discuss how it can also be an exhortation against pride and overconfidence in ourselves.

CHALLENGE

  1. David wanted to praise the Lord with all that was within him - his body, soul, and spirit. How will you bless the Lord today?

KEY VERSES

  • "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and ll that is within me, bless His holy name!" Psalm 103:1

  • The LORD is merciful and gracious. Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Psalm 103:8



Psalms, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsPsalm 103