Introduction

Praise God for his kindness to all those who honour him.

Verses
1Praise the LORD, my soul!
All that is within me, praise his holy name!
2Praise the LORD, my soul,
and don’t forget all his benefits,
3who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from destruction,
who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5who satisfies your desire with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The LORD executes righteous acts,
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
9He will not always accuse;
neither will he stay angry forever.
10He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor repaid us for our iniquities.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his loving kindness towards those who fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
14For he knows how we are made.
He remembers that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are like grass.
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16For the wind passes over it, and it is gone.
Its place remembers it no more.
17But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him,
his righteousness to children’s children,
18to those who keep his covenant,
to those who remember to obey his precepts.
19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens.
His kingdom rules over all.
20Praise the LORD, you angels of his,
who are mighty in strength, who fulfil his word,
obeying the voice of his word.
21Praise the LORD, all you armies of his,
you servants of his, who do his pleasure.
22Praise the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul!

Questions

1. To whom does the LORD show justice?

v 6 The LORD executes righteous acts,

and justice for all who are oppressed.

2. How does the LORD show that he is merciful and gracious?

v 8 and 9 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
He will not always accuse;
neither will he stay angry forever.

3. The LORD does not always punish us as we deserve. To whom does He extend His loving kindness?

v 10 and 11 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness towards those who fear him. 

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 5 Remember all the benefits that come from God
  • v 6 to 18 God shows mercy and forgives our sins if we fear him. He understands our weaknesses
  • v 19 to 22 God rules over all. Angels, people and everything in the world should praise him

 Timeline 1050 to 850 BC