0531. The King's Benefits
The King’s Benefits
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name" (Psa_103:1).
"Bless the Lord, O my soul." There is nothing in the first sixteen verses of Psalms 103, to show that the blessings therein detailed, have to do with the Messianic Kingdom. Indeed, we readily grant that there is, here, as in all of the Psalms, a past and a present application. This is particularly true of the 103d Psalm. No one, however, who understands dispensational truth, will fail to see that the blessings described in Psalms 103, are not universally true, before the Lord returns to this earth. Let us notice some of the things for which the Psalmist breaks forth with praises.
1. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." The verse anticipates, not so much the forgiveness of individuals, Jews or Gentiles, as the national forgiveness of Israel. God will open a fountain for uncleanness to the house of David.
2. "Who healeth all thy diseases." Certainly this has met no literal and complete fulfillment, since the day that God sustained the children of Israel as He led them through a waste and howling wilderness. But, when He comes again, Christ will universally heal. At that time all of Israel’s diseases will disappear. The healing of her diseases is based upon the forgiveness of her iniquity, as set forth in the first part of Psa_103:3.
3. "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction." Blessed day when God’s people shall be saved from all their persecutors, when evil shall no longer pursue the chosen race.
4. "Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness." When our Lord returns, His blessings will be upon His people, He will satisfy their mouth with good things and renew their youth as the eagles.
Israel is now traveling through her wilderness. Her blessed Canaan–millennial rest–is still before her. She will soon be eating pomegranates, and feasting on the finest of the wheat.
5. "The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." Once more we have the same sweet story of restoration for the downtrodden poor. The reign of equity promised to the children of Israel will surely come. When these beneficent promises are fulfilled, the people will proclaim "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psa_103:8). Then will Israel say, "He hath not dealt wih us after our sins" (Psa_103:10). To our minds, one of the most tender and beautiful verses in the Bible is Psa_103:13 : "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Thus the Lord has ever pitied Israel. During the days of their wanderings God led them as a father leads a son.
The time is coming at the revelation of Christ when the Lord will forgive the sin of His people; He will remove their transgressions as far as the east is from the west; He will restore them to the fellowship of His heart.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR