Psalm 103

I've spent the last few months memorizing Psalm 103 and I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but I did it!  I recited the whole chapter to my husband 2 night ago.  I am not good at memorization.  Like, really bad, actually.  My sister would memorize sheets and sheets of Scripture to subsidize the cost of attending Bible camp.  When I went to camp, I tried memorizing as well, and it didn't work.  Thankfully I never loved camp as much as her!  I love acting, but hugely struggled with script memorization, so never pursued it beyond church drama team as a teen.  Once, in high school, we were required to memorize 20 verses of Scripture for Bible class.  It was hard!  So why attempt to memorize a whole chapter again?  Because I wanted the words to stick in my head (and heart) long-term.  I was reading through Psalms in my one-on-one time with God, and when I came across Psalm 103:10, it really hit me (you can read it below).  I love that verse.  So I decided to memorize the whole chapter.  I love the idea of being able to bring God's words to mind, and to share them with anybody who needs, even if I or the other person doesn't have a Bible on hand.  Now I guess we'll just see how long it sticks!  Hopefully if I brush up on it occasionally, it will.  However, I found there are 2 cons to memorizing this much, at least for me.  It may be different for you.  For me, it took me months to memorize it.  During this time, I felt I couldn't move on with reading my Bible, because I felt it would "write over" the words I had memorized.  This had the effect of pausing my spiritual growth a little.  Don't worry, I still did spend one-on-one time with God, it just wasn't as frequent or always as in-depth as it was before.  Also, when I was continually repeating the verses to memorize the words, they became just that - words.  That was a little disappointing, and something I didn't expect.  I'm hoping that now that it's memorized, these words can be brought to mind and dwelt on, so that I can treasure them more again - and I think that will be the case!  I'm excited to have more of God's Word hidden in my heart, ready to be brought to mind when I or others need it!

I have highlighted my favourite verse, the one that inspired me to memorize this chapter, below.  Once you're done reading, could you please share your favourite part of this chapter in the comments?  Thanks!  I'd love to hear what was the most meaningful to you!

 "Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not 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

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,

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 high as the heavens are 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 does He remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes 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.

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 word,

obeying the voice of His word!

Bless the Lord, all His hosts,

His ministers, who do His will!

Bless the Lord, all His works,

in all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!"