His Lovingkindness

Psalm 103: 4, 11, 13, 17 (Amplified)
4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercy
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and lovingkindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him.
17 But the mercy and lovingkindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children.

This great chapter in the Psalms is often quoted for "blessing the Lord" in verses 1-4 and following. But as I read this chapter recently I was completely overwhelmed with the constant reference to the Lord's lovingkindness to us. In these four verses there are these awesome descriptions that David uses to explain it.

The first one is in verse 4 - and he describes the lovingkindness of the Lord as a CROWN. He beautifies and dignifies me with a crown of His lovingkindness and tender mercy. I often experience headaches. But I have come to pray over myself that everything be removed off of my head except for the lovingkindness of the Lord to me. I see myself as wearing an awesome crown. I really want to take hold of that one.

The second description is in verse 11 - the lovingkindness of God is as great and huge as the HEAVENS above the earth. When I look up at the sky, and I often do, I can only try to imagine the vastness of His love and mercy towards me.

Next we look in verse 13 - the love and mercy of my heavenly FATHER can be seen in the great love and mercy of a good earthly father. I know that I see it in myself, the love and compassion of a parent for their children. I give my own children much grace and the benefit of the doubt, probably to a fault. It is my heart to work hard in their behalf and give them every advantage and provision that I possibly can. God is like that towards me.

Lastly, in verse 17 - the lovingkindness of the Lord is FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING. How long is that? How much is that? I believe it's pretty much infinite. It is immeasurable , as are all of God's attributes.

As I read this chapter, I just was undone by seeing how great is His love towards me. (see also Psalm 139)