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The author of this psalm is King David. This psalm is classified as a Hymn (individual thanksgiving). The next psalm, Psalm 104 appears to be patterned as an accompanying song to this one. Both of these are hymns to be sung in worship by the choirs David established for the tabernacle and later temple worship on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem. Both psalms begin and end with the phrase, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.” Likewise, both the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah allude to this psalm in their books. God’s hesed, covenant love is wonderful.
I. Personal Praise for Yahweh (vs. 1–2)
A. David praise God with his entire being, soul, inmost being—all that is within me
represents the whole human being in worship
B. The Holy name David is blessing is Yahweh, which recalls His attributes and acts
Therefore tell the Israelites: I am Yahweh, and I will deliver you from the forced labor of the Egyptians and free you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment. (Exod 6:6 HCSB)
C. David calls on his mind to remember what God has done for him
1. Pride can cause us to forget God’s blessings given to us
2. An entitlement spirit, envy, and covetousness can lead us to focus on what other have
D. Praise is the verbal response of awe for God and His mighty acts
E. David lists some of these blessings as part of the congregation in corporate worship
II. Corporate praise for Yahweh’s goodness to His covenant people (vs. 3–5)
A. The blessings of entering into a covenant relationship with Yahweh include:
1. Forgiveness of sins, removing the consequence and power of sin in our life
2. Removal of chastisements for sin after repentance, healing is parallel to forgiveness
3. He redeems and ransoms us, which prevents judgment in hell
4. He crowns us with covenant love and infinite mercy, rewards instead of punishment
5. He satisfies godly desires and renews strength, restores the blessing of the covenant to
those who obey Him
B. A sinful person who enters a covenant relationship with God experiences freedom, divine
favor, restoration to the status of an “heir”
III. Yahweh is merciful to real believers who are weak in themselves (vs. 6–14)
A. Yahweh works righteousness and justice in His kingdom, salvation & deliverance
B. He delivers His people from evil and oppression
C. Yahweh revealed His ways and deeds through Moses to Israel and us
D. Yahweh revealed His glory and His grace to Moses
Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: Yahweh-- Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, 7 maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. 8 Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped. (Exod 34:6–8 HCSB)
E. God’s grace was revealed in the Mosaic Covenant (Gen 43:29; Exod 33:19, 34:6; Num 6:25; 2 Kings 13:23; 2 Chr 30:9; Neh 9:17, 31; Ps 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, 116:5, 145:8; Isa 30:18-19; Jer 3:2; Joel 2:13, Amos 5:15; Jonah 4:2) and before it
F. Yahweh is merciful, patient, bestowing grace and great love hesed on His people
G. God’s forgiveness is for a real believer who genuinely repents—full removal of sin penalty
H. The promises are to those who fear, reverence, love, serve, and worship God
I. How do you spot a God-fearing person? Jesus is their greatest treasure, and first priority in
their lives. His Bride, the local church has its rightful place in their lives. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is Lord of their treasure and time. In gratitude they obey His moral law to display their gratitude for salvation, deliverance from sins power and penalty (Luke 19:8).
J. God adopts those who embrace the Messiah by faith and who repent, He is our Father
K. God knows the frailty of His children and deals with the repentant with compassion
IV. Life on earth is short, but Yahweh’s covenant love for His worshipers is forever (vs. 15–19)
A. Man’s life on earth is brief, so knowing God early is essential
B. God’s covenant love for those who fear, worship, reverence Him is everlasting
C. The Mosaic covenant had a special blessing for believer’s children
D. Those who fear God keep His covenant and obey His moral precepts
E. Yahweh is sovereign over everything and everyone
V. Universal and Personal Praise for Yahweh (vs. 20–22)
A. All angelic and created beings should praise Yahweh
B. All of creation should praise Yahweh
C. All believers should praise Yahweh privately and corporately
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; Praise him for his grace and favor
to his feet thy tribute bring; to our fathers in distress;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, praise him still the same for ever,
evermore his praises sing: slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King. Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us; Angels, help us to adore him;
well our feeble frame he knows; ye behold him face to face;
in his hand he gently bears us, sun and moon, bow down before him,
rescues us from all our foes. dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows. Praise with us the God of grace.
Words by: Henry Francis Lyte in 1834
Lessons to live by:
• God is to be praised. Make sure you are one who fears, respects, and loves God.
• Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.
• Your check book, credit card statement, and calendar reveal if you fear and love God or if you love pleasure, money, or only love yourself
• Like it or not, the Bible teaches God is sovereign over all people and things.
• Are you tired of your sin and want forgiveness and freedom? Come to Jesus and He will give you rest from your struggles and guilt
• Be willing to die for Jesus, take up your electric chair, and follow Him in obedience
