Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 103

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. 6 The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul![1]” (Psalm 103, NASB 95)—Psalm 103

As we continue our Summer in the Psalms, we turn this week to Psalm 103. Pastor Eric taught us that the psalm is a grocery list of sorts! David gave us an excellent list of things we should remember – most essentially, to put God first in our thoughts. Our busy lives have many distractions, and worship keeps us focused. Busyness makes us forget, the circumstances of life make us forget, and our sin makes us forget. God gave us many reminders to help us remember – things like worship, communion, and community.

Begin by reading Psalm 103 aloud.

1. What are things you tend to forget? What are things about God or your faith that you tend to forget? Why do you think you tend to forget those things?
2. What does fighting the urge to forget mean to you?
3. What are practices/rhythms/disciplines in your life that you make time for in your week to remember?
4. Do you have a community that points you to Christ when you forget? How do they do that?

Challenge: Memorize Psalm 1 this summer. At the end of each group meeting, ask each member to recite the portion they have learned!