Today, we explore Psalms 99-103 in our daily devotional. Reaching the 100th psalm is a milestone filled with praise, reflection, and reminders of God’s holiness and steadfast love. In Psalm 101, David expresses his commitment to integrity through eight powerful “I will” statements, emphasizing the intentional choices we make in our relationship with God. As you read or listen to these psalms, consider your own “I will” statements. What commitments or boundaries might you set to strengthen your walk with God? To read some psalms that worship the Lord, read the daily devotional on Psalms 92-98.
Psalms 99-103 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day twenty in our journey through the Book of Psalms. We will look at Psalms 99-103. With these five psalms, we cross the 100 mark today. There is much praise in these psalms. Psalm 101, attributed to David, has eight “I wills” in it. Our relationship with God is a choice. What “will” you do or not do in your relationship with God? Please read or listen to Psalms 99-103.
What Does It Mean that God Created Us?
When I read these psalms in 1997 (NKJV), I wrote in my Bible reading journal about Psalm 99, “‘He is holy’ (v. 3). A God who forgives.” About Psalm 100, “It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (v. 3). About Psalm 101, “I will behave wisely in a perfect way” (v. 2). About Psalm 102, “In the day that I call, answer me speedily” (v. 2), and “This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord” (v. 18).
Regarding Psalm 103, “A praise psalm. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul’ (v. 1). The things God does for us, ‘So great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us’” (vv. 11-12). And then verses 15 and 16, “our ‘days are like grass . . .for the wind passes over it, and it is gone’”.
When Distress Drives Us to God
I summarized these psalms in my journal in 2007 (NASB), when I wrote about Psalm 99, “‘Holy is He’ (v. 3). ‘It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture’ (100:3). ‘I will set no worthless thing before my eyes . . . I will know no evil’ (101:3-4). When distressed, call upon the Lord and wait, referring to Psalm 102. 103 is a great psalm. It is complete. We are to bless the Lord and not forget all He has done for us: pardons our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from the pit, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies us, performs righteous deeds. Yet, His blessings are only on those who fear Him, to those who obey Him.”
How Do You Serve the Lord?
In 2015, after reading these psalms, I wrote, “Holy is He, the King, the Lord our God. Our response? Tremble, quake, praise, worship, exalt, keep His testimonies and His statues. Serve the Lord with gladness.” Then I wrote, “I serve the Lord, but not often with gladness. I should be more thankful, praise more, bless His name more.” I continued to write, “Spiritual righteousness is a choice.”
How Can You Walk with Integrity in Every Area of Your Life?
“Psalm 101 is filled with ‘I will.’ We choose our behavior. I will sing, ponder, walk with integrity, not set before my eyes anything that’s worthless, know nothing evil. We should surround ourselves with godly people. He who walks blameless shall minister to me, ‘No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes’” (v. 7). And I wrote, “Choose wisely.” And finished with, “We are temporary. God is eternal.”
Today’s five psalms are another litany of praise songs to the Lord. In my English Standard Version Study Bible, they are entitled, Psalm 99, “The Lord Our God Is Holy.” Psalm 100, “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever.” Psalm 101, “I Will Walk with Integrity.” Psalm 102, “Do Not Hide Your Face from Me.” And Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, O My Soul.”
What Does the Saying “I Will” Mean?
As we close out today’s devotion, let’s go back to the “I wills” of Psalm 101. Could you write a list of “I wills,” choosing your own behavior before the Lord? Remember David said, I will do many things, and I also will not do many things. It would be amazing if in My Thoughts you wrote down some things you will do for the Lord, and some things you will not do because of your relationship with the Lord. May that be a practical application of what we learned in the scriptures today.
Prayer
Lord, we choose to walk with integrity. May we take a little time today to think about what that means in our own personal lives. Today, we need people of integrity, so may we, like David, list the things that we think integrity is today. And then share them with someone. Share them with our spouses, share them with our children; children share them with your parents. Give us courage to share our list of “wills” and “will nots” because we try to walk with integrity with You. Holy Spirit, stir our hearts as we think about what a walk of integrity is to us today. We give You the thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
