Psalm 103:4 - Thanks for Life & Mercy

"1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. ... 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:1,2,4 New Living Translation, 2015)

David had been redeemed from death on multiple occasions. In his boyhood, David faced down the giant Goliath who threatened,

"...I will give your flesh to the birds and wild animals.” (1 Samuel 17:44 NLT) We know how that turned out; Goliath ended up with a stone in his head!

On several other occasions, David's father-in-law Saul, who was the reigning king, attempted to kill David or have others assassinate him. Even David's own son Absalom threatened him. Then there were all the foreign armies that attacked David and his kingdom.

Each time, God rescued him. David didn't live forever, though. He died like any other human.

When he thanks God for "redeeming him from death," David is talking about being rescued from spiritual death. David knew that he sinned -- like when he committed adultery and committed murder to cover it up. But he also acknowledged that sin was deeply ingrained in his character. (Psalm 51:5)

Consequently, he also wrote,
"What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?" (Psalm 89:48, New American Standard, 1995)

He answered his own question:
"For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol." (Psalm 86:13; see Ps 30:3, NASB95)

David had been crowned, not only as the king of Israel, but the Lord "crowns me with love and tender mercies." It was God's love that rescued him from spiritual death and hell.

There is such a thing as harsh mercy that says, "You're forgiven, but I'm not going to forget what you've done. And I'll keep reminding you that I haven't forgotten. I'll show you just enough mercy to get by." But mercy that is based on genuine love is tender mercy.

Thank you Lord, that when we deserved death, you rescued us to give us eternal life. When we deserved judgment, you didn't begrudge forgiveness. You gave mercy with tenderness out of Your great love for us. In Christ's name we praise You, Amen.