God's Unlimited Mercy

 

By: Donna Bucher

Psalm 103 is an exhortation to bless the Lord for His mercy and all twenty-two verses contain indisputable reasons aiding us in our pursuit. Until I labored at memorizing it, the fullness of the psalm's claims on God's mercy never occurred to me. Lingering over each verse, God invited me to view my suffering past, present and future through each verse of this psalm, where I encountered the limitless mercy of our God.

Psalm 103:1-7

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from detruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

 

Unlimited Redemption

The limitless mercy of our God speaks redemption in the first seven verses of the psalm in powerful language. From the forgiveness of all iniquities, healing of all diseases, to providing every nutritious item needed so our youth and strength may be renewed. But God's lavish provision ceases not with the abundance of those treasures. He redeems our lives from destruction. Ultimately crowning or encircling us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:8-14

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

 

A Forgiving Mercy

The limitless mercy of our God overflows towards us in lavish forgiveness in verses 8-14. Though He has every right to judge us severely for our sin and rebelliousness, He opts instead to show mercy.

David further deepens our illumination of the limitless mercy of our God, by equating the covenant God, Yahweh with a father who fully understands the weaknesses and limitations of his beloved children.

Psalm 103:15-22

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto to children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD , ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

 

An Everlasting Mercy

Continuing his exhortation to bless the LORD for His mercy, David moves us toward the enduring nature of God's mercy by comparing the fleeting nature of man's life to the everlasting character of the limitless mercy of our God in verses 15-17.

Further cementing the notion for us, David points out God's throne and kingdom are established in the heavens, ruling over both heaven and earth. Evidenced by the exhortation for angels, heavenly hosts and all creation to bless the covenant God, Yahweh for the unsearchable riches of His everlasting mercy toward all.

For as much as the limitless mercy of our God greeted me throughout Psalm 103, another theme pursued me. God's covenant Name Yahweh is used throughout the psalm, making this an intimate encounter with the God of the universe. Both the exhortation to bless the LORD for His mercy and the revelation of the depth of that mercy rests in the covenant relationship God has with His people.

Find more encouragement and FREE Resources at Serenity in Suffering!

 

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