Long ago I had set out to memorize Psalm 103. In teaching the children at church we emphasized the need for memorizing scripture, and gave memory verses each week for them to work on. It didn’t feel right not to work on memorizing myself so I set out to commit that Psalm to my mind. I got to about 1/2 or 2/3s before I let my heart be numb and stopped.
This week my friend, Jane, has been staying in touch and holding me accountable in my walk. Stan has also gently addressed some areas with me that need attention. It is never easy to look at the areas that come up but all are in need of some work. Jane is going to memorize the same Psalm. It was interesting to me that we both were reading different passages in the Word this week, yet both of us were in sections dealing with our mouth or speech. I certainly need to be guarding my mouth and the mind that drives the words that come from it, and the heart that directs the mind. It has come to light for me that I’ve not fully forgiven my ex-husband either, something I really need to do.
Anyway, it is hard to meditate on what I cannot recall, so I’ll be working on getting Psalm 103 memorized in the coming days.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
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 not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
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 punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy 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 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.[a]
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Marti Gardner 