Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Memory Monday

Last week I found it easy to add Isaiah 53:6 to the two previous verses already memorized--because I actually had learned it during my college years, listening to the Come Together album from Jimmy and Carol Owens with Pat Boone. (Yes, I know ... that was a long time ago.)

All we like sheep have gone astray;

  we have turned--every one--to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

  the iniquity of us all.

Memorizing Scripture set to music seems to happen without effort ... what a gift! I listed some musical memory resources here.

Later in the week, riding in the car on an errand with my husband, sitting in companionable silence and enjoying the gorgeous late-summer afternoon, I found myself wanting to praise God. But with his words, not mine! And none came quickly. But back at home I looked for a praise psalm to work on and chose Psalm 103.

This one started out easily because the first verse has been set to music as a choir anthem. (We have a trend going!) I've been working on the first three verses and will try to add more this week:

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.--Psalm 103:1-5

How has music helped you memorize Scripture?