Psalm 103 – Recovering Reality from Spiritual Amnesia Big Idea Psalm 103 is a strategy for spiritual amnesia. When we forget God’s goodness, our view of the past becomes distorted, our hope for the future erodes, and worship becomes optional. David teaches us to remember truthfully so we can worship fully and move forward with hope. 1. The Problem: Spiritual Amnesia Spiritual amnesia is not forgetting who we are, but forgetting what . Like emotional memory loss, it leaves gaps that skew our perspective toward the . 2. The Strategy: Self-Talk That Leads to Worship (Psalm 103:1–2) 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, Psalm 103: 1-2 David speaks to his own soul: He's not saying “I worshipping”, he's saying "I worship." David doesn’t wait until he feels grateful—he chooses to remember. “Forget not all his benefits” is a deliberate act of resistance against despair. Worship is not of reality; it is seeing of reality. 3. What We Are Called to Remember a. The Lord Has Forgiven Me (vv. 3, 10–12) who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:3 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. Psalm 103:10-12 David knows he deserves judgment but receives mercy. His sins are removed “as far as the east is from the west”—i.e. This forgiveness ultimately points to Jesus’ work on the cross. Result: Freedom from fear No waiting for the other to drop A secure standing before God b. The Lord Heals and Redeems (vv. 3–4) 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, Psalm 103:3-4 Healing is bigger than physical health—it includes redemption from itself. David knows sickness and death exist, but they do not get the final word. His is not a downward spiral ending in the grave. c. I Am Secure in God’s Love (vv. 4b, 17) who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Psalm 103:4 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, Psalm 103:17 To be “crowned” with steadfast love means our identity is rooted in God’s . Human rejection and criticism no longer define us. God’s love is infinite—“from to .” d. The Lord Satisfies Me with Good (v. 5) who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:5 Spiritual amnesia causes us to forget the countless blessings that make life . Remembering God’s goodness renews strength and restores perspective. We are not victims stuck in a rut—we are people renewed to . e. The Lord Knows Me Fully (vv. 14–17) 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, Psalm 103:14-17 God remembers that we are dust— , fragile, limited. Yet we are dust—known, loved, and sustained. We are fully known and fully loved. f. The Lord Knows What’s Going on in the World (v. 6) The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:6 God sees injustice and suffering clearly. He works righteousness for the oppressed. We can resist cycles of and despair. g. God Wins (v. 19) The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 God’s throne is established; His kingdom rules over all. Evil does not get the last word. Pain is temporary; God’s love is . 4. The Response: Remembering Together as Worship Singing expresses what words alone cannot. Remembering church history helps recover truth and build hope. Naming highs, lows, and learnings acknowledges reality while trusting God’s faithfulness. Remembering is not nostalgia—it is fuel for . Reflection & Discussion Questions Understanding the Message How would you define spiritual amnesia in your own words? Why do you think forgetting God’s goodness affects our hope for the future so deeply? What stands out to you about David talking to his own soul rather than waiting for his feelings to change? Personal Reflection Which of the truths David remembers in Psalm 103 do you most easily forget? Why? Where have you seen spiritual amnesia shape your view of God, yourself, or the church? How does knowing you are fully known and fully loved by God change the way you approach worship? Church & Community Why is it important for a church to remember both its highs and its lows? What do we miss if we only remember the “good old days” or only the painful ones? How does remembering God’s past faithfulness prepare us for future mission? Looking Ahead What would it look like for you to face 2026 with hope rather than hesitation? What “benefit of the Lord” do you need to intentionally remember this season? How can remembering God’s goodness move you from passive observation to active participation in His work?