Dear reader, I would encourage you to read this devotion aloud beginning with the first verse below these lines. Continue in that fashion, reading both the italicized Bible verses of Psalm 103:1-5 alongside the offered “guided” prayer relating to each verse. This is a common prayer practice! Again, I would encourage you to try it out. Blessings to you.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Heavenly Father, I can’t help but praise your name! I can’t help but serve you! O my God, you woke me up. You freed me. You keep me. You bless me. I praise you, Father!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
I don’t understand why you give me so much, but not just stuff. Not clothes, food, or shelter. You give me contentment with and without those things. You give me joy to give those things. You give me hope outside of those things. You give me your own son, Jesus,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
Father, you sent your son Jesus to save me, and I need it. You sent your son Jesus to heal me, and I need that, too. Too many times, I have failed myself, but you never fail me. Your Son is a sweet balm to my wounded soul. For this, I praise you!
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Before your salvation, I was gone. I was in the dark—dirty, desperate, and decaying. But you scooped me up, you gave me life, and you chose to bless me with a love that won’t go away. As I begin to understand just how deep that pit really is, I see your mercy more and more clearly.
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
God, when I look around at the world, I see the corruption of sin, the dirtiness of pride, and the sadness of pain, but in you I see good. Help me to focus my eyes on you. O my God, please keep giving me this strength that I can’t explain, this joy that is otherworldly, and this love that you showed me how to give. I can do it because you are doing it in me. Thank you, my great God—my loving Father.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.