Scripture For Today | Psalm 103 (with Pastor Tom)

About this Episode

Opening Song: 
East/West (Psalm 103) by Paul Zach
Lyrics:

Bless the Lord O my soul

All that is within me bless His name

He's forgives all our sin

He is slow to anger full of grace

 

As high as the heavens are up above

So is the greatness of His love

As far as the east is from the west

He removes our sin from us

As far as the east is from the west

As far as the east is from the west

 

For the Lord knows our frame

Short our days from dust to dust we fade

But His love will remain

Merciful to those who fear his name

The steadfast love of the Lord

Is from everlasting to everlasting

Passage: 

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

6 The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

 

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

18 to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

 

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,

obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the LORD, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

(Psalm 103:1–22 ESV)

Musical Reflection: 

Harp Meditation No. 1 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes: 

A repetitive pattern in the left hand provides a meditative foundation while the right hand experiments with ascending lines. The tune is meant to be joyful and evoke delight. 

Prayer: 

O Lord, in whose hands are life and death, by whose power I am sustained, and by whose mercy I am spared—look down upon me with pity. Forgive me that I have until now so much neglected the duty which you have assigned to me... Make me to remember, O God, that every day is your gift, and ought to be used according to your command… through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

-Samuel Johnson