May 15

A Psalm Of Gratitude

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— — Ps 103:2 BSB

The psalmist often speaks to his own soul, as if to wake it from slumber. Within each of us is an orchestra of praise waiting to be awakened. Let all that is within us give praise to God. Let us not long for the past or yearn for the future, but focus on the blessings of the present moment. We often miss the gifts of today because we assume something more satisfying lies ahead. Yet right now, God is forgiving, healing, redeeming, crowning, and satisfying us. Live in the present! Live in God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That is enough. The past records of God’s faithfulness are an incentive to trust Him. What He was, He is. His love overflows like a fountain of mercy and forgiveness.

Psalm 103:10-18 contains four powerful comparisons: “As the heavens… As the east… As a father… As for man.” The ancient world thought the sky was a solid dome, but today we understand the vastness of the heavens, which makes these words even more profound: “As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy.” The universe above us is vast, yet not as infinite as God’s mercy. The contrast between east and west in ancient times symbolized an immeasurable distance. Today, our understanding of the vast distance between the earth and the sun deepens the meaning: God has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. A father’s compassion for his small, helpless child is a powerful image of God’s tender love. The strongest plea we have before God is our weakness. Jesus, who became like us, knows our frailty and remembers that we are dust.

The last comparison was in our Lord’s mind when He pointed to the flowers (Matthew 6:30). Generations of flowers bloom and fade in the fields—so fragile, beautiful, and short-lived. Human life is not more permanent, yet the mercy of the Lord extends from everlasting to everlasting.

The psalmist’s call, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” reminds us of a conductor hearing every instrument in an orchestra, down to the quietest note. So too, God hears our voice of praise and misses it if we do not join in.

Prayer

O Blessed God, You constantly give Your best gifts to us, even though we are unworthy. Accept our gratitude, which we cannot fully express in words. May we rejoice in every blessing You send us. Amen.