OVERCOMING THE BLUES THROUGH THE PSALMS: PART 1

SNE.BCNA
Jan 3
4 min read

Psalm 103 | December 28, 2025

“Don’t Forget”

Good morning, post-Christmas people.

Today, we begin a new sermon series titled “Overcoming the Blues Through the Psalms.” After Christmas, depression, doubt, fatigue, and darkness can feel heavier than usual. Psychology Today refers to this as the post-holiday blues.

During this series, to help us overcome the blues, we’re asking you to do two simple things each week:

Read the Psalm we preach each Sunday (every day until the next Sunday)
Sing the song we’ve printed in the bulletin each day.

Today’s Message: “Don’t Forget”

When we think about life, emotions, raw confession, deep prayer, and wonderful praise, the book of Psalms holds it all. King David (who authored most of the Psalms) poured out his heart to God.

In Psalm 103, David is overwhelmed by the goodness of God. He begins with a call to worship:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul;And all that is within me, bless His holy name.”

David is in full worship mode. His whole being—heart, soul, and mind—is consumed with praise. He’s so overcome with gratitude that he calls even heaven itself to worship:

Psalm 103:20 – “Bless the Lord, you His angels.”
Psalm 103:20 – “Bless the Lord, you hosts of heaven.”
Psalm 103:21 – “Bless the Lord, all His works.”

Praise always chases the blues away. When was the last time—other than Sunday morning—you just let loose with praise to God?

“Bless the Lord…” — A Praise List for the Soul

Sometimes the best thing we can do is preach to our own hearts:

Bless the Lord because You have not left me as an orphan.
Bless the Lord because You have never given up on me.
Bless the Lord because You are with me.
Bless the Lord because in You there is always hope.
Bless the Lord because Your love endures forever.
Bless the Lord because Your mercy is great.
Bless the Lord because Your compassions fail not.
Bless the Lord because I bear Your image.
Bless the Lord because no sin separates Your love for me.
Bless the Lord because You answer my prayers.
Bless the Lord because You rule the world.
Bless the Lord because life does not end at the grave.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. I have 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord!

The Warning: “Forget Not All His Benefits”

David continues:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!” (Psalm 103:2)

It’s easy to forget His benefits when:

The blues have a grip on us.
Sadness covers us
emotional fatigue overtakes us
A broken heart screams with pain.
The doctor’s report is bad
conflict in the family is raging

But here’s what else is true: it’s also easy to forget His benefits when life is going well—when we have more than enough, when everything is “fine,” and when we assume we don’t need God like we used to.

In the moments of the blues, remember the old song: “Count your blessings.”

A “Thank You List” for Jesus

Many people keep a to-do list on their phone—homework, chores, doctor appointments, ballgame schedules.

But few people keep a thank-you list for Jesus, thanking Him for answered prayers, forgiving our sins, and helping us through difficult days.

David reminds us that a list of praise helps us overcome the blues.

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly warns His people not to forget His actions. Over and over in Deuteronomy, God says, “Don’t forget what I did bringing you out of Egypt.”

Let Us Not Forget

God’s grace is greater than our sins.
God’s loving kindness is greater than our hatefulness.
God’s faithfulness is greater than our doubts.
God’s tender mercies are greater than the mess we have made.
God’s goodness is greater than our meanness.
God’s patience is greater than our rebellion.

The Benefits of God’s Mercy

Psalm 103:3–5 says:

“Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (NKJV)

Jesus forgives and forgets all your sins. Past sins. Current sins. Future sins. All nailed to the cross.

When you are saved, God doesn’t hold sin against you—and you shouldn’t hold it against yourself (or others). When the blues come knocking on the door of your heart and mind…

Bless the Lord.

As Far as the East Is from the West

Psalm 103:8–12 reminds us:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love…He does not treat us as our sins deserve…as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (NKJV)

Let us not forget this:If we remembered God’s blessings as clearly as we remember our problems, our praise would be louder.

Life Is Short—God Is Eternal

David points to how brief life is:

“The life of mortals is like grass…” (Psalm 103:15–16)

Life is short in comparison to everlasting life. We’re here only a little while—and how we live now impacts eternity.

But then David anchors our hearts in what never changes:

“From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him…” (Psalm 103:17–19)

God is in charge—don’t forget that. And He is a good Heavenly Father.

The Final Word: Praise

The Psalm ends where it began—with worship:

“Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion.Praise the Lord, O my soul.” (Psalm 103:22)

The blues are real. We’ve all had them at one time or another. But we don’t have to let the blues have us.

We must not forget all the goodness of God.

Invitation: Bring Your Blues

During the invitation, bring your blues to the altar. We want to pray a blessing over you today.

Starting later today—and each day this coming week:

Read Psalm 103
Sing the two songs printed in the bulletin.

Don’t Forget.“It’s a Wonderful Life.”