Psalms 103-105

Psalm 103
Thanksgiving for God's Goodness

1-5 Bless the LORD, my soul, remembering his benefits: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, goodness, youth
6-14 The LORD vindicates and is just, merciful and gracious, as he removes our transgressions, as the compassion Father he is, for he knows we are just dust.
15-18 The days of mortals are temporary, like grass, but the LORD's love and righteousness are everlasting toward those who fear and obey him.
19-22 The LORD is the King over all; bless him, you angels, all his hosts, his ministers, his works, my soul.

Psalm 104
God the Creator and Provider

1-4 O LORD, you are great, clothed with majesty, ruler of the heavens, waters, clouds, wind, fire and flame
5-9 You have dominion over the earth, setting its foundations, controlling its seas
10-13 You control the springs for the nourishment of your creatures, satisfying the earth with the "fruit of your work."
14-23 You provide grass for cattle, plants for people, trees for birds, mountains for goats, the sun and moon for the seasons, darkness for night animals, daylight for people to work.
24-26 In wisdom you have made it all: creatures, the sea, living things both great and small.
27-30 Your creation looks to you for all good things. When you don't provide, your creation dies. When you send your spirit, it is created.
31-35 May the LORD's glory endure forever, whose look makes the earth tremble, to whom I will sing praise as long as I live. May my meditations please him; let sinners be consumed; Praise the LORD.

Psalm 105
God's Faithfulness to Israel

1-6 O offspring of Abraham, give thanks to the LORD, call on him, make known his deeds, sing to him, glory in his name, seek his strength and his presence, remember his wonderful works.
7-11 He remembers his covenant with Abraham, his promise to Isaac, his everlasting covenant with Israel to give them the land of Canaan.
12-15 He allowed no one to oppress them, when they were a small nation, wandering from one kingdom to another.
16-22 He sent Joseph as a slave into Egypt, until what he said came to pass, and Joseph was made lord of the house of Pharaoh.
23-25 Israel came to Egypt as an alien, and the LORD there made them stronger than their foes, whose hearts he turned to hate his people.
26-36 God sent his servants Moses and Aaron, performing his signs: darkness, waters to blood, dying fish, frogs, flies, gnats, hail, lightning, desecration of their vegetation, death of their firstborn.
37-42 He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and Egypt was glad. He led them with cloud and fire, gave them food from heaven, and water from a rock. He remembered his holy promise to Abraham.
43-45 He brought his people out with joy and singing, giving them lands and wealth -- "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws."

I love this "bottom line." Why did God do all this for his people? So he would have a nation that would be submissive to him. He preserved this people for obedience. Did they disappoint him? Indubitably. Yet they still carried out his purpose of bringing His Son into the world, to create a church that transcends physical kingdoms, one whose faithfulness does not depend on political leadership or physical wealth, but is a free and personal choice.