PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL!
LESSON SIX: PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL!
LONGING FOR GOD:
STUDIES IN THE PSALMS
Text for This Study: Psalm 103
1. What do you think of John Stott’s suggestion for reading Psalm 103 as “three concentric circles” of praise? Do you recall the three categories for which Yahweh is praised? What specifics from your own experience would you place in those categories?
2. Language that Bible readers treasure about forgiveness is found in verses 7-12. Which of the lines or figures of speech strike you most powerfully? Give you the greatest sense of confidence before our Holy God?
3. Although some think of grace as a New Testament theme, it is a central theme of the entire Bible. Although the writer of this poem did not know the Jesus Story, it is clear that he knew the Generous Heart of God. How does Psalm 103 confirm that fact? Why do you think so many people misread the Old Testament and fail to see grace as its theme?
4. Does Scripture regard human good works as (a) the means of receiving God’s grace or (b) appropriate expressions of gratitude for grace received? Compare Deuteronomy 4:32-40 with Ephesians 2:1-10 in replying to this question.
5. Commenting on verse 14, Donald Williams wrote this: “God looks at our frailty, our weaknesses, our struggles, and He has pity on us. In the Incarnation, God takes the next step. He becomes one with us and shares in our humanity.” Reflect on his statement in light of Hebrews 4:15.
When I was in college, my major professor Dr. Harvey Floyd read us a poem he’d come across. I don’t remember it with precision, but it was fairly close to, “One day, one ordinary day, while I am washing the dishes, doing laundry, feeding a baby or cooking dinner, my Lord will come back. How I’ll have wished he found me knocking on a door, telling someone about Jesus. God have mercy on me.” Dr. Floyd was sad as he read the poem. He rightly explained that praising God is not only found in evangelism, church, and Bible study. The Christian who is doing dishes, taking out the trash, and changing diapers is doing work that praises God. Those are not lesser chores. They are holy, important, and necessary when they are done to God’s glory.
[Mark Lanier, Psalms for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance, rev.ed. (Waco: Baylor Press, 2017), reflection for September 24.]