1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
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Today I am looking at verses 20-22. Words fail me as I try to grasp this passage. I found a page with some really good commentaries. A song also came to my mind. I will share both.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” by Thomas Ken
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here:www.biblegateway.comThey have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!
“If we take the time to consider just how frail each and everyone of us is we are enabled to forgive much and love much and be set free from much, enabled to know a measure of peace and joy that we have never known before…”
I have been a little sick lately. I would appreciate your prayers.
I wrote this blog post a few years ago. I thought I would share it again. I hope it blesses you.
I wanted to re-blog this post, but I had already re-blogged it at my other blog, “Serenaded Softly”, so I am just going to insert a link to the post here:
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
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Today I am looking at verse 19:
“The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.“
Here is another verse that expresses that:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 KJV
This verse means a lot to me. It speaks of authority. As we look around it may seem like evil is prevailing, but the Lord will have the last word. He sees everything. Nothing escapes His notice. The causes that truly are just are also the causes the Lord will honor and execute. I pray that the Lord will help us… will help me… to be patient, and to trust Him, and that we…I… would obey Him. Here is a song I like that speaks on this subject:
You know what really comforts me about His authority? He has the authority to cancel sins…to blot them out…to pardon. Oh, this makes me so glad! He is full of pity for us, and convicts us, and we, in turn, cry out to Him, “Father forgive me for I have sinned!” Then he scoops us up in his tender embrace and heals us with His love. I am crying as I type this. I am so thankful.
I wrote a poem a while back that illustrates this:
“Leaning” by Theresa Anne Moore
L aying my cheek upon His Breast I exhaled softly and
E ntered His rest.
A nxious and noxious thoughts that choked me
N o longer held power; no longer provoked me.
I mpressions were formed deep down inside me;
N uances of love to support and to guide me.
G racefully carried by God.
If you would like to read other poems I have written you will find them here:
Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here:www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!
” Earlier today as I was lying in bed wallowing in sadness and shame a phrase came to my mind—”He (Jesus) doeth all things well”. Then I remembered a wonderful sermon I listened to that was concluded with the hymn below…”
“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 KJV
“1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
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Here are the verses I am considering today:
“13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Psalm 103:13-18 KJV
Earthly Fathers vary greatly. There are good fathers and bad fathers. There are movies and television shows that offer examples of what some would estimate to be truly great fathers.
Below is a video that I have used in another post that was devoted to the subject of both earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. I think it is perfect for this post, because it depicts tenderness and compassion. Little Zuzu had caught a cold, and was sent upstairs to bed. George goes up there to check on her. The look on his face at the very end always touches my heart.
Both verse 13 and 17 mention fear.
I have spoken about fear many times in my blog posts over the years. There is a type of fear that is of God, and a type of fear that is of the enemy. The fear that is of God is the fear that comes from the knowledge that God the Father is both righteous and holy. It is a fear that has its root in love, and is actually initiated by the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) who dwells inside all Born Again Christians. When people are born again there is a longing in their hearts to be like Him, and to hear Him say, “Well done”. This fear motivates them to learn what pleases Him, and to put forth the effort to do just that. That is why they study the Bible. These verses below illustrate that.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 KJV
“24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. ” Ezekiel 36:24-38 KJV
“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
As you read here about fear, covenant keeping, and keeping His commandments to do them, you might find yourself wondering, “To what extent Christians actually do this?”. This is a tricky subject that has been discussed among Christians with varying answers.
I can tell you this much—they “will” put forth an effort, but they “won’t” carry it out perfectly. Each and every day the most devoted Christian will fall short of that (will sin) to some extent.
There are so many passages I could quote from both the old and new testaments which teach us that, but in order to keep this post from becoming too long I think I will share just two.
One of them happens to be right here in Psalm 103. Look here:
“17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”
D0 you know what mercy and grace are? Here is the meaning of those two words put into the simplest terms:
mercy– God’s decision not to punish us as we deserve.
grace– God’s decision to give us something good that we do “not” deserve
Now look at verse 17 again. Those who fear and keep (do) His commandments are also recipients of mercy. They would not be recipients of mercy if they did not require mercy. They would not require mercy if they had feared and obeyed perfectly.
Here are a couple of passages from the New Testament:
“12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 KJV
“7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10 KJV
I spoke earlier of the fear that is of God. Now I want to explain the fear that is “not” of God, but of the enemy. The enemy wants our minds to believe lies. He wants to rob Christians of peace , joy and hope. He wants us to doubt that we are the children of God and heirs to all of God’s promises that are found in scripture. He wants to convince us that it is a waste of time to pray, to study the Bible, and to trust that the Father loves us. Sometimes he succeeds for awhile. The result is a horrible, sickening fear “That Torments”. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we sin, and draws us to return to the Father and confess our sins (He initiates repentance), but NEVER torments:
“17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:17-19 KJV
I want to conclude this post with these verses:
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 “13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
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Oh yes, the Father knows our frames! He has searched us and known us through and through, and knows how short our earthly lives are and just how frail and needy we really are. Below is something to consider.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:26-31 KJV <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just go tohttp://www.biblegateway.com. They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!
Moore to Ponder 