r  “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.” Psalm 103:5

O, my soul!

Bless thou the LORD.

David is speaking to his own soul. He is deeply conscious of the great “hear Israel’’ of Deuteronomy 6:4, 5. And he would have his own soul be tuned to the true worship and praise of Jehovah. For the LORD, Israel’s God, is one LORD. He alone is God and there is none besides Him. All the other gods are idols: they are nothing and vanity. But the LORD dwells and is enthroned between the Cherubim of the mercy-seat! Him the Psalmist would love with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength.

It is the great commandment; it is written in the table of the heart of this sweet singer in Israel. The Spirit of the LORD speaks by him, and the LORD’s word is on his tongue. That makes David the sweet psalmist, harping upon his harp: he is harping in hope of one day standing with the angels. Nay, he already is joining the angelic mighty hosts of Jehovah, calling upon these to join him in singing of the great and holy Name of the LORD.

Bless Him, ye angels . . . .Ye angels, that excel in wondrous strength and might; ye ministers of his commandments, harkening unto the voice of His Word.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts . . . .

Bless the LORD, all ye his works in all places of His dominion!

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

* * * * *

The Psalmist’s mouth is satisfied with good things!

The Psalmist has received a mouth which is connected with his soul. All mouths are connected with the soul and the heart. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And from this new fountain of a redeemed soul must not come forth both bitter water and sweet, blessing and cursing. Only the LORD must be blessed and He must be blessed by the saints in spirit and in truth.

The Psalmist speaks in this Psalm of his mouth as something which is his adornment. His tongue is become beautiful with the praises of God. And the LORD has satis­fied that mouth with good things. The LORD is the great Satisfier. He gives food and water which satisfies; eating and drink­ing from it, one never more hungers and thirsts. It is that which does not merely satisfy the body, but it satisfies the soul which was created by God in the image and likeness of God, and which soul has been renewed after God’s image in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. And now his mouth must overflow.

From this mouth must flow the fountains of waters which spring up unto everlasting life. It must be the streams of water that flow from our deep yearning and desires, from the source of our affections and feel­ings, from our very bellies!

This mouth has been satisfied, and must, therefore bless the LORD. The soul must from its deepest depths acknowledge from Whom it has received this inner and true and abiding satisfaction . . . .

O, come my soul, sing and bless the LORD!

Let the blessing be upon thy lips, my soul. Do not sit in silence of unthank­fulness. Join the angelic choirs in their celestial songs about the great white throne of Jehovah in the heavens.

May there be good things welling up within thee, my soul!

Upon thy lips, thou satisfied mouth!

Come, thou soul of mine . . . .

* * * * *

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Bless Him who manifests His Holy Name to thee in all His wondrous benefits. My soul, do not forget any of all these benefits. Keep them in perpetual and in holy remem­brance, and name them one by one in their proper order . . . .

Do not forget, O my soul, that you have been forgiven, washed and cleansed from all thine iniquities. My soul, you are by nature very wicked and iniquitous. You are so very lawless, breaking all the com­mandments of God and keeping none of them. You are guilty before Jehovah, the judge of all the heavens and the earth. And you are so full of “diseases,” too apart from the benefits of the LORD. You are so full of errors; who can understand them? These errors are so deep-rooted and are im­possible for you to eradicate. Daily you sin against the LORD in thoughts, words, and deeds. You did this in the sins of youth and now you have become old in sin. But now, my soul, look away from yourself!

Do not forget, O my soul . . . .

Look to the benefits of the LORD that are unending!

Yes, the LORD has pardoned all thy iniquities. He remembers them no more; He will never bring you into judgment for them. He is the One who constantly for­gives, sends these iniquities away, yea, so fully and completely as if you had in your own person paid for them fully. And what is more, He also heals all thy errors and diseases and makes you what he would have you be. He makes you a doer of His will.

For He is your God, Your Redeemer. He redeems your very life. He takes your very existence and makes you His own for time and eternity. He justifies and sanctifies you; He crowns you and makes you beautiful with the deepest love of the heavenly Hus­bandman.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Do not forget . . . .

* * * * *

Do not be easily satisfied, my soul, with thy “blessing” of the name of the LORD!

All that is within thee must bless, my soul . . . .

Nothing within thee may stand in the way of this remembering of the good things of the LORD’S covenant mercies. Ever remember them when you study the Scriptures. May all your thoughts and as­pirations be of the LORD’S goodness and mercy and of His ardent love for you. Bless the LORD, my youthful soul. The LORD renews your youth like the eagles. He is faithful and strong to save and to make you strong.

Sing gallantly then, my soul, and join angelic choirs. Sing with the mighty hosts

of the angels who give heed to the LORD’S commandments, hastening to thy help.

Sing in hope of one day being in heaven to sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb at the crystal sea.

Bless His name for it is holy.

Bless the LORD, O my soul . . . .