Throughout this series we have joined some of our favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures. As you ponder the variety of prayers from the Great Prayer Book, the Psalms, be enveloped by each word as if it was written directly to and for you…because in fact they were and are a gift from God for you. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul, and great liberty to your life of prayer.
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What is it about your relationship with the Lord that evokes your praise? If you were to sit and offer prayers of praise to God, what would be on your heart and lips? In this great psalm, David sings his praise to the Triune God, celebrating the many gifts God has provided with abundant generosity. His soul is filled to overflowing with praise from his inmost being. He calls out these many gifts as benefits, and his offering of praise is so the profits for his soul are never forgotten. He cites them as forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, satisfaction, righteousness, justice, graciousness, and love. Can you embrace these words as an embodiment of your own offerings of praise and thanksgiving? If so, then let the praise flow freely from the depth of your being and sing your prayer of joy to the Lord for offering these plentiful gifts to you each and every day of your life.
Today…
May your prayer be one of praise! Follow the outline offered by the psalmist and shout aloud your own offering of gratitude to the Lord for the many benefits he showers upon all who call upon his name with reverence, beauty and joyful delight. Flourish today in God’s beneficial love and compassionate grace. (Psalm 103)
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.
