It helps me in the slog of life to remember the benefits I enjoy. I live in Colorado and look at majestic peaks every day. I’m married to a wonderful woman, enjoy good health and have a warm house for the winter. I’m favored with family and friends. All this reminds me of the Lord’s goodness.

As David praised God from the depths of his heart, he pointed out that the Lord is the one 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.

Add these to the list of benefits. As I apply David’s thoughts to myself, I understand that the Lord…

Forgives my sins (removing them as far as the east is from the west).

Heals my diseases.

Pulls my life from the pit of hell.

Crowns me with love and shields me with compassion.

Satisfies my desires (not just my needs) with good things.

Renews the energy of my youth.

All these benefits result from a life of walking with God. The added extras keep piling up. Not everything comes at once. My disease might not be healing or my energy renewing, but the Lord is behind every bit of health I enjoy and the fact that I can get out of bed in the morning. The list goes on and on.

In response I simply echo David’s words—Praise the Lord, O my soul. With all that is within me, praise his holy name.

Psalm 103 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Cameron Foth