How does Psalm 103:2 connect with gratitude themes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18?

◄ Psalm 103:2 & 1 Thess 5:18 gratitude link? ►

Key Texts Side by Side

• Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Shared Thread: Remembering Leads to Thanking

• Psalm 103:2 commands the soul to “not forget.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands believers to “give thanks.”

• Forgetting God’s benefits (Psalm 103) is the enemy of continuous gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5). Remembering is the bridge between the two passages.

What We Are Remembering

Psalm 103 lists the “kind deeds” that fuel thanksgiving:

– Forgiveness of sins (vv. 3–4; cf. Ephesians 1:7)

– Healing (v. 3; cf. Exodus 15:26)

– Redemption from destruction (v. 4; cf. Colossians 1:13)

– Covenant love and mercy (vv. 4, 8; cf. Lamentations 3:22-23)

– Daily satisfaction and renewal (v. 5; cf. Isaiah 40:31)

How Remembering Shapes “Every Circumstance”

• Because God’s benefits are constant, thanksgiving can be constant (Psalm 103:17; Hebrews 13:8).

• Remembering past grace gives perspective when present circumstances are painful (Romans 8:18).

• Gratitude becomes obedience, not mood-based preference (Colossians 3:17).

Practical Ways to Tie the Passages Together

– Speak to your own soul like David: rehearse specific blessings aloud.

– Keep a written record of “kind deeds” so you won’t forget.

– In trials, pair every petition with explicit thanks (Philippians 4:6).

– Let corporate worship echo Psalm 103 so daily life can echo 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Resulting Lifestyle

• A heart that remembers (Psalm 103:2) naturally overflows with thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• Gratitude becomes habitual, aligning life with “God’s will…in Christ Jesus.”