Psalms 103 · Grade 5

Forgiven and Loved

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 103 is titled By David. It begins with David preaching to himself: Praise Yahweh, my soul! He calls on all that is within him to praise God's holy name and not to forget all his benefits. Forgetting is easy, so he lists God's gifts on purpose.

The list begins with forgiveness: God forgives all your sins, heals your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, and crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. David then recalls how God made known his ways to Moses. Verse 8 echoes what Yahweh proclaimed to Moses: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

Next come pictures of God's mercy. His loving kindness is as high as the heavens are above the earth. He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, a distance that never ends. Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. He remembers that we are dust, yet his loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting.

Show What You Know

Why does David list God's benefits?
What does verse 8 echo?
Why is east to west a good picture of forgiveness?
What does God remember about us?

Crossword

Across

____ his holy name.
As far as the east is from the ____.

Down

Who ____ all your diseases.
Yahweh is ____ and gracious.
As far as the ____ is from the west.

Think About It

David spoke to his own soul to stir up praise. What words could you say to yourself to remember God's goodness?
God is like a compassionate father. How does knowing this change the way you come to God?

Memory Verse

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalms 103:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving my sins. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can God's patience with you shape how you treat others?
How can you thank God for forgiving you this week?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?