Psalm 103:5 - Thanks for Gifts & Strength

"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... 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!" (Psalm 103:1–2, 5 New Living Translation, 2015)

The Lord filled David's life with good gifts. The bulk of the psalm expands on the first item in David's list. The very next section will say,

"The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." (Psalm 103:8, NLT)

As you count your many blessings, God's love and mercy are first and last. But in some translations, David continues by saying, that God
"...satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle." (Psalm 103:5, New American Standard Bible)

In other words, everything to that point--Pardon, healing, redemption, mercy, good gifts--all these things are a part of renewing strength.

When David said his "youth is renewed like the eagles," he is not saying that the clock was turned back. David became physically feeble in old age. His circulation was so poor that he was constantly cold and had to stay in bed. Yet to some degree, his strength--such as he had in younger years--was rejuvenated. Read the end of his life (1 Kings 1). Even though bed-bound, he was sharp up until the very end.

Later, the prophet Isaiah would summarize it this way:
"Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:30–31, NLT)

Giver of every perfect gift (Jms 1:17), who brought faith to our hearts and forgiveness to our lives, continue to renew our strength so that we will run our race and finish well. (Heb 12:1-3) For this we give thanks in the name of Jesus, whose sacrifice makes it all possible. Amen.