This very reassuring Psalm tells of the promise of the redemption that all mankind will one day experience (1Co 15:22), and is a revelation of our merciful God and Father who knows our frame and how he is going to redeem us through Christ and His Christ, the church which is Christ’s body (2Sa 14:14 , Col 1:24 , Eph 1:13 , Eph 3:10).

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

2Sa 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

I chose the title “Bless The Lord” because, as God’s elect, we are the first to experience and see in very practical ways how the Lord forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases and blesses us through judgement. These are the wonderful works unto the children of men (Psa 107:31) that are needed in order to be conformed to his image (Rom 8:29). It is for that great privilege of being His workmanship in this age that we “Bless The Lord” (Psa 103:1-4).

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Rom 8:29 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.

Psa 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Without the understanding that the physical reveals the spiritual (Rom 1:20), we could easily see “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” as only a physical event without seeing the infinitely more important spiritual meaning of those healings that these events in Christ’s life in the world, foreshadowed (Mat 4:24 , Mat 12:15).

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Mat 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

This 4-part study with Psalm 103 reminds us that abiding in Christ will produce those “greater works” (Joh 15:7-10) than he did while in the flesh because he goes unto his Father, as he proclaimed the elect would do (Joh 14:12). The greater works of healing the spiritually sick or shepherding people into the path of righteousness so they can overcome sin is the fruit/greater work that is being declared of Christ “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psa 103:3). Bless the Lord!

Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

God’s children understand that healing someone spiritually is giving them eyes to see and ears to hear so they can walk in the truth (3Jn 1:4), and is what is needed to know God and Jesus Christ, which is the greatest gift and our joy,  just as it is the Father’s joy and good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Joh 17:3 , Luk 12:32 , Php 2:13 , 1Jo 4:17).

3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1Jn 4:17 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.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure (Psa 103: 21)!

(Our 4-part study with Psalm 103 — including video, audio and notes — is available here)