Talk to Yourself

Psalm 103

How do you talk to yourself? We all do it — even if all of us aren’t crazy folks who mumble to themselves. We all do it, and the things we say to ourselves throughout the day are some of the most important things that we say. My fiancee is a counselor, and one of the things she tells me often is how destructive most self-talk is. Most of us have this nagging inner voice — this inner critic that constantly blasts away at the things that we do. Imagine the last awkward social interaction you were a part of; for some of us, it may not be that long ago. That voice probably showed up. Some of you may have a proud inner voice, telling you that you can do anything — that you’re the king or queen of the world, that you’re unstoppable. Either way, this Psalm is for you, and it tell you how to re-wire how you talk to yourself in a way that lines up with God’s way, which is the best way. This Psalm is a song of self-talk. This song is a psalm of David talking to himself — he’s talking to his soul — he’s saying: Soul, because you’re so prone to be a rebellious, prideful, stern, condemning voice, this is what you need to do.

If you aren’t someone who is following Jesus, I want you to listen to this a little bit differently. This is more of an offer. These things are not true for you. David’s going to refer to people like this: “Those who fear the LORD.” What he means by this is those who recognize that they have rebelled against a holy God and that they need his forgiveness to have their relationship restored with him. So if you’re not a follower of Jesus, these promises aren’t for you, but they could be. So Let’s read this together and consider how we can talk to ourselves.

Psalm 103 ESV

Of David. 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!

I want to show you that David is telling himself to give thanks to the LORD, and so change the way he talks to himself, by reminding himself of all that the Lord is doing for him, by reminding himself of all that he’s done in the past, by reminding himself of his frailty and God’s majesty, by reminding others to worship the Lord. So today, learn from this text to change the way you think to yourself and talk to yourself.

v 1-5: Remind Yourself of what God is doing

God is active in your life right now — if you fear him.

He forgives, heals, and redeems. — all your iniquity — the things you’re ashamed of! All your diseases.

v 6-10: Remind Yourself of What he’s done.

Self-revelation in Exodus 34:6

Exodus 34:6 ESV

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

v 11-19 Remind yourself of who you are, really (in perspective to God).

The Lord’s Majesty and Magnitude (v.11-13, v. 17-19) sandwiches, surrounds, our smallness and frailty (v. 14-16).

If you think you’re strong and mighty, the LORD is immeasurably more so

If you think you’re frail and nothing, the LORD is your strength and your forgiveness and your identity.

His Kingdom rules over all. Your school, your friendships, your thoughts, your soul.

v 20-22 Remind Others To Worship the Lord

Give thanks!

How can you not, in light of these benefits.

You who are not Christians, will you fear the LORD?