The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-06-20
Lesson for June %
A PSALM OF PRAISE

LESSON TEXT-Psalm 103:1-22.
GOLDEN TEXT-Bless the Lord, o
my soul.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Song of Praise.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Song Of Praise.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Privilege of Worshiping God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1c-The Habit of Thankfulness.
This beautiful psalm of praise fol-
lows one of the importunate pleadings
for help in time of great need. An
drew BoDar calls it "a Song of a Re-
deemed One by the Redeemer's Side"
1t is entirely given up to praise; not a
single supplication being found in it.
!. Alteration for Personal Benefits
wv. 1-5).
The Psalmist calls upon his soul to
bless Gods holy name. Mans whole
nature, intellectually and spiritually, is
called upon to adore God. Note the
benefits recognized by the Psalmist:
l. "Forgiveth all thine iniquities"
". 81 Pardon of our sins is the most
important of all Gods benefits.
2. "Healeth all thy diseases" ". 81.
Healing here refers to that of the
body and the soul. Renovation of the
entire nature, especially the moral, fol
lows forgiveness of sins.
8. "Redeemeth thy life from destruc.
ton" ". ~. The sinner is In the
position of debtor. All the demands
made against him because of his sins,
were paid by Jesus Christ.
4. "Crowneth thee with loving kind
ness" ". ~. The redeemed one not
only has forgiveness of sins, but is in
vested with the full rights of heaven
~ citizenship.
5. "Satisffeth thy mouth" ". 81.
When one enters into saving relation.
ship with Christ he does not incur loss,
but great gain. He is not deprived of
any rights.
u. Praise for Gods ExceIlencies
wv. 6-13).
The Psalmist now looks away from
the benefits bestowed to the very
quality of the being who bestowed
them.
/. His justice ". 81.
"He executeth righteousness" God
is always against the oppressor and
on the side of the oppressed. This points
to the time when Messiah's reign shall
extend over the whole world.
2. He reveals Himself ". y. This
He did in peculiar way to Moses and
the children of Israel. The very name
Jehovah means Self-revealing One
lex. 3:14). God created man In His
likeness and image In order that He
might not only reveal Himself, but
that He might share His goodness with
the creature.
8. Merciful and gracious ". 81. AS
a sinner man needs pardon and favor.
God in His mercy pardons the sinner
who calls upon Him and through His
grace He bestows favors upon him.
4. Not always contending ". 81.
Gods love for His children moves Him
to contend with them. When they
turn from their sin, He ceases to chas-
ten them. God holds no grudges. He
forgets our stubborn follies as soon
as we turn from them.
8. Gods forgiveness wv. 1919.
This forgiveness is manifested in
His not dealing with us according to
our sins, in showing supreme mercy,
in putting away sin as far as the East
is from the West, and in fatherly pity.
We usually think to praise God for
what He has DONE How much we
ought to praise Him for what He has
refrained from doing.
III. Mans Frailty and Gods Eter-
nifty wv. 14-19).
l. His frailty wv. 1416).
(1) He is but dust ". 14). God con-
stituted mans body out of the dust
of the ground, therefore He knows his
frailty. (2) His days are as grass
". 15). He fourishes as the flower of
the field. AS the grass disappears un-
der a blighting wind ". 16), so a
small blast from God will destroy
mans life.
2. Gods eternity wv. 17-19). Gods
goodness and mercy are from ever
lasting to everlasting. This goodness
and mercy He shows from generation
to generation.
w. Call to Universal Thanksgiving
wv. 20-22).
Since His dominion is over all, it
calls for recognition by all.
/. Angels ". 20). Intelligent spirits
that bear His messages and go on His
errands are called upon to praise and
adore Him.
2. His hosts ". Ply. By hosts here
is likely meant the sun, moon and
stars. They are called upon to give
Him due praise FPS. 19:1).
8. His works ". 22).
Whatever He has done, whether in
creation, providence or redemption,
His works made known his goodness.