Psalm 103:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 103:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Verse 2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits-
Verse 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
Verse 4who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Verse 5who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Verse 6The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
Verse 7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
Verse 8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Devotion
If I had to describe God to someone using only a few words, what would they be? The opening verses of the psalm offer the words I am looking for—God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, renews. These are words of love beyond our understanding. Let us be thankful and celebrate our loving Lord who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
We are called to thankfulness that recalls the Samaritan in Luke 17, the only one of ten lepers healed, who returned to prostrate himself at Jesus’ feet in thankfulness that celebrated the totality of God’s gift of love for all of us.
Prayer
To know we are loved, to know we are forgiven, to know you are working to heal us, to know that you rescue us from ourselves—for all of this, we celebrate you, loving Lord. As you show us your path that we are to live, we pray that with your help we follow your love in our actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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