Duluth’s radio work is undergoing a change in format on September 9.  The time will be the same—3:00-3:15 Monday-Friday, on WGUN 1010 AM.

“Truth for the World” will now be on the air for the first time in Atlanta—every Wednesday.

Two area congregations are taking Thursday and Friday, which will be a savings of $130 per week in our budget.

The Truth in Love       Truth for the World      Macland Road
       Skip Andrews                   Jim Dearman                Philip Satterfield 

                                                                                      South Cobb
                                                                                      Tommy Tidwell
 

If you have not been listening, please give it a try.  If you have been, thank you very much for listenin
 
 

“THIS PSALM may well be called a pure note of praise.  It has an undercurrent of soberness at one point, but that does not cancel the correctness of Maclaren’s remark: ‘There are no clouds in the horizon, nor notes of sadness in the music, of this psalm.  No purer outburst of thankfulness enriches the church.’  As it progresses this psalm swells into ever fuller chords of the praise of the Almighty.” (Leupold, p. 715).  The previous psalm is full of the problems that a person might rightly bring before the LORD, while this one is full of the praises that He deserves.

We will study it under four headings that relate to the title, “Bless the LORD, O my soul” (vv. 1,2,22).

FIRST: HIS BLESSINGS ARE MANY (103: 1-5).

There are two distinct sections in these first five verses.  In the first two verses, the author (David) calls upon himself to bless the Lord.  This simple starting place is taught all through the Bible—we must begin with self!  But who wants to begin at the beginning?  And who wants to begin at the beginning wholeheartedly?  “Blessing” the Lord is an interesting way of teaching that we are to praise Him.  When God blesses us, He gives us that which we need—when we bless Him, we give Him that which He deserves.

In the last three verses, he lists the blessings that are on his mind.  There are five of them.  First, and surely the most needed, is forgiveness.  Then come healing, redeeming (rescuing), crowning, and satisfying. The result that is noted in verse five is that his “youth” is renewed like the eagle’s (see Isaiah 40:31).

Now, let us read this section with understanding and reverence.
  

SECOND: HIS BLESSINGS ARE BASED IN HIS NATURE (103:6-13).

All of God’s blessings for us are rooted in His nature (Exodus 34:6,7).  This is so obvious that it seems to escape our notice very often.  Since God is “I AM THAT I AM”—He offers us blessings that are always good.  

In verse six, the poet presents a proposition regarding the Lord’s treatment of the oppressed.  In verses seven through nine, he proves it by the Lord’s treatment of Moses and Israel (see Exodus 34:6,7 again).  In verses ten through thirteen, he applies it to his own day.  God has not dealt with us according to our sins and that which we deserve—and then come three moving illustrations to lead the people to agree that the proposition is true.  The first illustration uses height—His mercy is as great as the distance between heaven and earth.  The second illustration uses the earthly idea of east and west to point out how far away our sins have been taken by Him.  The third illustration is about His emotional attachment to us—He is a Father, and He has pity (compassion) on His children.

Back to verse six—the proposition has been proved, and the personal application to the readers has been made.  Are the readers willing to accept that which He offers?  He will soon tell us how we can have the salvation and protection of Jehovah.

Now let us read this section with understanding and reverence.

THIRD: HIS BLESSINGS ARE BASED ON THAT WHICH HE KNOWS ABOUT US (103:14-18).

Verse fourteen stands as a connector in this poem.  It reminds us that this great God is very aware of how we are made because He made us.  Physically and spiritually, we can trust in His ability to act according to His knowledge of our “frame” and according to His Own nature.  The early verses are a preparation for the words of this verse, and the next verses (15-18) are convincing reminders that He knows, He understands, and He can accomplish all that needs to be accomplished for us.

Leupold says, “The LORD is being thanked because He shows so great consideration for man’s frailty.  The contrast is this: just as frail as man on his part is, so exceedingly great in compassion with this frail being is the Lord on His part.  The one is so very frail; the Other is so amazingly great” (p. 719).

It is in this part of the psalm that we are told about our responsibility to keep His covenant, to remember His commandments, and to do His commandments.  At the time the psalm was written, the law of Moses was that which had to be obeyed by Israel.  Today, our lawgiver is Jesus Christ.  We are to hear and obey Him (Matthew 17:5; John 14:15).

Let us read these verses with understanding and reverence.

FOURTH: WE SHOULD RETURN HIS FAVORS BY BLESSING HIM (103:19-22).

The position that the Lord occupies in the universe is identified in verse nineteen.  This is where the psalmist has been heading from the first word.  It is not “merely” a poem about God’s greatness with reference to our needs—it is that the One Who cares so much and can do so much is the ruler of the entire universe!  All of creation should “bless” Him—even the created beings that surround His throne and do His bidding in all things (see Hebrews 1:4-14).
Let us now read these verses with understanding and reverence.

CONCLUSION: “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

Let us now do this with understanding and reverence.
 

SICK LIST:  Cleah Boaz has an aneurysm in her brain.  She has an appointment with a neurologist in two weeks.  Theresa Heilman is recovering from surgery on her ankle.  Margie Chadwick’s daughter Debbie recently had surgery.  Dennis Hatchett’s father is also recovering from surgery.  Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.

SYMPATHY:  Edna LaValle, Nancy Komisak’s and Jane Graham’s grandmother and Jerry Ann Elliott’s former mother-in-law, passed away Tuesday.  Her funeral was Thursday.  We offer our sincere sympathy to this family.

NEW BABY:  We welcome Jonathan Curtis Davis!  He was born September 1 at 2:09 AM and weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces and was 21 inches.  His parents, Curtis and Jennifer, and his brothers, Jared, Jake, and Justin, are doing well!

OPEN HOUSE:  The ladies are invited to a “come and go” tea Sunday, September 8, from 3:00 to 4:30 at the home of Jennifer Davis.  This will be a great opportunity to see Jonathan!

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 2 is in charge of services today at 1:30.  John Grubb will be speaking this quarter.

FOR THE RECORD: 
Sunday Class                            104
Sunday AM Worship                140
Sunday PM Worship                111
Wednesday Class                     132
Contribution                          $4383

WEEKLY LADIES’ CLASS:  Please keep in mind our regular Tuesday ladies’ class will begin meeting this Tuesday,  September 10, at 10:00.  Mary Jones is our teacher.  Please review “What I’ve Learned” on Genesis-Deuteronomy.

ELDERS’ MEETING:  The elders will meet at 4:00 Sunday, September 15.  If you would like to discuss anything with them, please contact Dennis Hatchett for an appointment.

DULUTH SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES:  Subjects: Hermeneutics and Genesis & Exodus (Saturdays at 8:30 and 1:00) and Greek (Sundays at 8:00 AM).