Charles Spurgeon said of this Psalm: “There is too much in the Psalm, for a thousand pens to write, it is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a Bible in itself, and it might alone almost suffice for the hymn-book of the church.” The Psalm is said to have inspired the writing of the hymn, Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Hymn 29).
1. David calls upon himself to bless the Lord: vs.1-18
a. By forgetting not God’s benefits: cf. Deut.8:10-18, 2 Ch. 32:25
Q. What benefits does the Psalmist remember?
Vs. 3 – Forgiveness of sin
Vs. 3 – Healing of diseases
Vs. 4 – Redemption from destruction
Vs. 4 – Loving kindness – Mercy
Vs. 5 – Good things
Vs. 6 – Righteous judgement
Vs. 7 – Revelation of His ways
Vs. 8 -11 – Many facets of Mercy
Vs.12 – Forgiveness of sin
b. By responding to God with fear – vs.13-17
c. By being faithful to obey God’s commands – vs.18
2. David calls upon the angles to bless the Lord – vs.19-21
3. David calls upon all God’s works to bless the Lord – vs.22
Thinking deeper: God’s mercy is referred to 6 times in this psalm. What can we learn about God’s mercy?
Verses 4, 8, 11, 13, 17
Application: How has this psalm challenged you in your own relationship with the Lord?
“Ver. 1. All that is within me, etc. Let your conscience “bless the Lord,” by unvarying fidelity. Let your judgment bless Him, by decisions in accordance with his word. Let your imagination bless him, by pure and holy musings. Let your affections praise him, by loving whatsoever he loves. Let your desires bless him, by seeking only his glory. Let your memory bless him, by not forgetting any of his benefits. Let your thoughts bless him, by meditating on his excellencies. Let your hope praise him, by longing and looking for the glory that is to be revealed. Let your every sense bless him by its fealty, your every word by its truth, and your every act by its integrity.” John Stevenson in TOD
Magnify! 