Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 103
Overview
It’s easy to think about all the ways we could use God’s help, but to develop a heart and habit of praising God just for who he is can require some intentionality. Today we’ll look at David’s example in Psalm 103, where he lists all of the amazing things God has done for the Israelites throughout history. The goal is for this conversation to be a celebration of who God is, overflowing from a heart of joy and thankfulness! It’s also a great opportunity for us as a community to get to know each other’s testimonies.
Read
Psalm 103 NLT
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6 The Lord gives righteousness
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
7 He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
Discuss
What is the worst compliment you’ve ever received?
What separates a good compliment from a bad one?
A bad compliment doesn’t seem genuine or might be completely inaccurate to who you are. It might feel like it’s back-handed or a pre-curser to asking for a favor, etc.
A good compliment makes you feel seen, celebrated, appreciated, etc.
Read Psalm 103. We’ve just read David’s praise about God, mostly speaking to what David has seen God do throughout scripture and his own life.
What does it look like for you to praise God? Would you say that it’s a natural habit?
What’s the difference between praising out of obligation vs praising out of joy/thankfulness?
Which do you think is David’s motivation here?
One of the great things about this psalm is that it truly focuses just on WHO God is, separate from ourselves. Which of God’s characteristics in this psalm speaks the most to you? Why?
What characteristics in this chapter have you seen in your own life?
Are there any characteristics you’d like to see in your current life?
Call to Action
How do you develop more habits of praise and thankfulness in your life?
Go around the circle and have people pray a prayer of praise! Speak back to God appreciation for what he’s done recently.
