Psalm 103 seems almost like a response or sequel to 102. Between the two psalms God has answered the desperate cry of the psalmist in 102. Now one of the characteristic qualities of the psalms comes to the fore: the psalmist addresses his own soul or self. Like a coach or boss or parent the psalmist directs his soul firmly into what it should do: bless God, remember all that God has done, thank him. Then, to jog his soul’s memory, he gives a litany of the many things God has done.

Among the things he lists are healing, forgiveness, and deliverance from oppression. With this list we are once again in the desert with Israel. There he did all the things listed here. Especially with verses 8-9 we are reminded of the most important moment of God’s forgiveness of Israel in the wilderness; when God forgave their sin with the golden calf. These verses are a direct quote of Exodus 34:6-7 when God declared his name before the face of Moses. This is the most poignant, most clear picture of the character of the One who would plan and execute the ministry of Jesus for our forgiveness, healing, and deliverance.

An early false teacher, Marcion, declared that the God of the Old Testament was not the God of the New. He claimed that the Old Testament “God” was angry, vindictive, and harsh whereas Jesus was kind, patient, and forgiving. This psalm is a wonderful antidote to such devilish nonsense. It describe the kindness and patience of God in terms of fatherhood. It is the very One who delivered Israel from Egypt and patiently bore with their sins in the wilderness who is a Father who understands our frailty and weakness. Just think, we have a high priest who can sympathize with our weakness, he’s not out of touch with our condition. We have a Father who knows us inside and out and feels for us. It is this lovingkindness of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that is the only remedy to our weakness, limits, and sin.

So the psalmist ends where he began; calling forth blessing and remembrance of God. He began by rousing and rallying his self, he ends by doing the same with angels, people, and creation itself. This is the right response to who God is and what he’s done. This is reasonable worship. This is our very existence as creatures made, sustained, and remade by the God of lovingkindness and patience.