Morning Prayer - Psalm 103

Theme of the Service

THE CALL TO PRAISE

*Psalm 103:1-2
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits-

*Song of Praise: Bless His Holy Name (Andraé Crouch © 1973)

IN TIMES OF NEED

Psalm 103:3-7
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits-
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.

Song: Psalm 136: We Give Thanks unto You (SNC 26:1-4)

MET BY GOD'S COMPASSION

Psalm 103:8-14
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.

Sung Prayer of Confession:

Psalm 130: In Deep Despair I Cry to You (SNC 62)

FRAGILITY SURROUNDED BY LOVE

Psalm 103:15-18
As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

*Song: The Steadfast Love of the Lord (SNC 242)

PRAISE THAT SEEKS TO EXPAND

*Psalm 103:1-2, 19-22
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits -
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.

*Song of Praise: Let All Creation Bless the Lord (SNC 34)