Bless The Lord

Theme: A Song of Praise

Scripture: Psalm 103

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God deserves our continuous praise for all He does for us.

Think: Always be mindful of the blessings of God in my life.

Do: Praise God daily for the many blessing He gives.

B1 This deals with a lot of God’s attributes.

B2 Psalm 103:1-2,

C1 Introduction of David’s song

C2 Praising God

C3 Bless

D1 The Hebrew word is בָּרַךְ bârak (baw rhack).

D2 It means

E1 The greater to the lesser: a boon, blessing, etc. It is to confer something good on or to someone (source).

E2 The lesser to the greater: kneel, praise, etc. It is to glorify and to regard as sacred (source).

D3 Uses

E1 Genesis 1:22 (MEV) Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

E2 Psalm 16:7 (MEV) I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my affections also instruct me in the night seasons.

E3 Psalm 10:3 (MEV) For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire; he blesses the greedy and despises the Lord.

C4 All that is within me probably signifies the difference between mere outward worship and inward worship. Mark 7:6 (MEV) He answered, “Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

B3 Psalm 103:3-5, Some benefits

C1 Forgives all

D1 What did the Psalmist know that many of his contemporaries did not? Hebrews 10:4 CSB - For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

D2 Hebrews 10:10 CSB - By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.

C2 Heals all. Is this physical or spiritual or both?

C3 Redeems life from destruction.

D1 What destruction is he referring to?

D2 The word for redeems is גָּאַל gâʼal and refers to kinsman redeemer.

D3 What does this remind you of? Compare: Ruth 4:13-14 and Isaiah 44:6 (MEV) Thus says the Lord the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; besides Me there is no God.

C4 Crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

D1 It is understood that the crown is woven with lovingkindness and compassion. (Source)

D2 Matthew Henry comments: and what greater dignity is a poor soul capable of than to be advanced into the love and favour of God? (Source)

C5 Satisfies our mouths which renews our youth

D1 Is there anything that is more satisfying than God’s blessings?

D2 What blessing has He given you?

D3 1 Timothy 6:17 (MEV) Command those who are rich in this world that they not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who richly gives us all things to enjoy.

B4 Psalm 103:6-8,

C1 Name one blessing from these verses that you have experienced.

C2 What is the balance between God’s justice (judgment) and mercy?

B5 Psalm 103:9-12,

C1 Has God ever been angry at you? How did you respond?

C2 Why is God’s mercy extended to those who fear Him?

C3 Is this an illustration of God’s mercy?

D1 A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice, the mother explained. "I plead for mercy. "But your son does not deserve mercy, Napoleon replied. "Sir, the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for. "Well, then, the emperor said, "I will have mercy. And he spared the woman's son. (Source)

D2 Or can God extend mercy because justice and God’s conditions were met?

E1 Hebrews 9:26 (MEV) For then He would have had to suffer repeatedly since the world was created, but now He has appeared once at the end of the ages to put away sin by sacrificing Himself.

E2 Old Testament: Exodus 20:6 NKJV - but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

F1 All are required to love God and keep His law. If a person does love God, they will want to keep the law.

F2 No one can do this: Romans 3:20 NKJV - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

E3 New Testament:

F1 2 Thessalonians 1:8 NKJV - in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

F2 1 Peter 4:17 NKJV - For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins] with us first, what will [be] the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

F3 Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

D3 Let’s say that when I was 10 years old, I was throwing rocks. Not paying attention, I hit my dad in the forehead. He has an injury that requires suturing. Someone has to pay. After confessing and acknowledging that I did it, I was stupid, and I was not paying attention, he can do a number of things. He can say, “Ok, I know you learned your lesson,” thus, showing mercy, but he pays the doctor’s bills. He might say though, “I forgive you, but you must do extra chores to pay for the doctor’s bills.” In the latter, I pay. Regarding sin, either I pay (hell) or God pays:

E1 1 Peter 1:18-19 CSB - For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.

E2 Ephesians 2:8-9 CSB - For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

B6 Psalm 103:13-14,

C1 What does this teach us about fathers?

C2 How does God pity (show compassion to) us?

B7 Psalm 103:15-18,

C1 How long is life? If short or long, how should we prioritize? Isaiah 55:6 NKJV - Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

C2 Explain the difference between God’s rules in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

B8 Psalm 103:19-22,

C1 Where is God’s throne?

C2 What is the extent of God’s kingdom?

C3 Why don’t we see God’s rule on earth today?

B9 Questions

C1 How do we continually praise God?

C2 Is praising God only verbal or are there other ways?

C3 How can we remind ourselves of God’s blessings?

C4 How can we praise God in difficulties?

B10 Next week:

C1 When under attack

C2 Theme: A song for justice

C3 Scripture: Psalm 109