The Benefits of God - Psalm 103

This is another of my favourite psalms, especially the first five verses, which list the benefits of God. 

Verses 1-5 are quite short so it is good to memorize, as it is a very handy prayer to pray as you go about everyday life. Of course you can always pray using your own words, but there's power in quoting God's Word, too, and sometimes when you are in the midst of your emotions, it can be hard to express yourself.

Pray these words under your breath whenever you are feeling down, want to pray for healing, long life, protection, or when you just want to worship God!  

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I believe in the truth of the Bible (see previous post The Bible - the basis for everything) so when I read these verses, I believe them. Literally.

The benefits of God we are entitled to as Christians:

• God heals ALL your iniquities - your sins have ALL been forgiven (due to Jesus' work on the cross);
  
• God heals ALL your diseases - the question of Will God heal me? is answered!
  
• God redeems your life from destruction - this includes an early death. God will save you from your life being destroyed by destructive habits, behaviour, drugs, alcohol, etc.
  
• God crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (self-explanatory)
  
• God satifies your mouth with good things and renews your youth.
  

Psalm 103 Praying Tips:

Here are some tips when praying Psalm 103:1-5 that I find helps me. I visualise each line as I pray it. This helps the words become a lot more meaningful and real to me as well.

When you are saying, "all that is within me, bless His holy name!", feel your entire body, all your limbs and organs praising God... 

When you pray the words, "who heals all your diseases", imagine your body in perfect health, or imagine God immediately healing the parts that are troubling you at that moment, and visualise them healthy...

If you are walking in a dangerous area or you suddenly have a fearful thought like - what if a car appears and hits me? - recite "who redeems your life from destruction" and visualise yourself protected and walking past without anything happening.

When you say, "your youth is renewed like the eagles', imagine your whole body regenerating and youthful!