Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4)
When God described Himself to Moses at Mount Sinai, He indicated that, among His many attributes, was an abundance of goodness (Exodus 34:6). The Hebrew word that conveys the notion of abundance implies something that is plenteous beyond measure. We see this attribute exhibited in the very beginning. The fact that the Infinite One was moved to create mankind and breathe the breath of life into us is an indication of His abundant goodness. What better way to demonstrate goodness (חסד chesed) than to give life to the lifeless. God’s goodness is made evident to those who love Him so consistently that it is spoken of time and again throughout the Scriptures.
Not surprisingly, David repeats the exhortation to his soul, and by implication ours, to praise God for His goodness over and over again. He encouraged his inner man not to forget all the many ways God blesses those who love Him; we are forgiven of sin, we are blessed with health and wholeness for the body, mind and soul. Not only has He saved us from destruction in the past and present, but His goodness and salvation will be available to us in the future. As it is written: “For the Lord is good; His goodness (chesed) is everlasting” (Psalm 100:5). In fact, David says that His goodness is upon us as a crowning feature, inferring that His chesed will flow from our head to the rest of our body.
I take that to mean that our entire being will be full of His goodness and, therefore, evident to everyone we come in contact with. Like abundant waters that overflow a fathomless pool, His benefits flood our lives and the lives of those who desire to draw near to Him. From Messiah, the Head of the Body, flows all the blessings the Almighty wishes to bestow upon His people. In Him is the fulness of God’s goodness because it is He who expressed God’s unfailing chesed when He laid down His life that we may live. For these benefits we should always give thanks and may our soul never forget Yeshua’s sacrifice and God’s goodness. Let us continually offer thanksgiving and praise for all the benefits we enjoy as sons of the Living God, and may God’s mercy and lovingkindness be obvious to all through our lives as we serve Him.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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