Psalm 103:1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits
Heavenly Father, King David’s words express the desire of our hearts on this April Saturday. As we take the time to ponder all the ways you love, bless, and care for us, how can we keep from exploding with joy and worship?
3 who forgives all your sins
Through Jesus’ finished work, you’ve forgiven all our sins—not just the 2% we’re consciously aware of, but the other 98% as well. Though we’ll be more like Jesus one day, we’ll never be more forgiven than we are this day. Make this more real to us than the taxes we just paid—more precious than the air we breathe.
and heals all your diseases,
Though you don’t heal on our timetable, nonetheless, you’ve secured an eternity of perfect health for us. One Day, every expression of our weakness and brokenness will give way to the fullness of Jesus’ wholeness, beauty, and life. All the ways sin and death have impacted our bodies, emotions, and thinking—all of them will be healed and made new. Groans will give way to glory; no more pains, only praise; no more aches, just “Amens!”
4 who redeems your life from the pit
Not only have you redeemed us from the ultimate “pit” of death and judgment, you also rescue us out of other kinds of pits, Father. Pits we fall into, pits we get pushed into, and pits into which we foolishly jump.
Waterless pits of self-pity, self-preoccupation, and self-righteousness; dark holes of bitterness and resentment; caverns of shame and vain regrets; craters of hopelessness and the dungeon of unbelief. Continue your “pit-rescuing” mission in our lives, Father, and in the lives of those we love.
and crowns you with love and compassion,
Through the gospel, you’ve removed our grave-clothes of death, and now we’re dressed in garments of your grace. Because Jesus wore a crown of thorns, you’ve crowned us with your favor and delight. You cannot love us more than you do in this very moment. Thank you! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.