Psalms 103

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 103:1

PSALM 103

Psa 103:1-22. A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God's gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man's frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song.

1. Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise.

my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.

all ... within me--(De 6:5).

his holy name--(Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.

Psalms 103:2

2. forget not all--not any, none of His benefits.

Psalms 103:4

4. redeemeth--Cost is implied.

destruction--literally, "pit of corruption" (Psa 16:10).

crowneth--or, "adorneth" (Psa 65:11).

tender mercies--compassions (compare Psa 25:6; 40:11).

Psalms 103:5

5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Psa 92:14; compare Is 40:31).

Psalms 103:6

6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.

Psalms 103:8-10

8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Ex 34:6).

keep (anger)--in Le 19:18, bear a grudge (Jr 3:5, 12).

Psalms 103:11

11. great--efficient.

Psalms 103:12

12. removed ... from us--so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.

Psalms 103:13

13. pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."

Psalms 103:14

14. he--"who formed," Psa 94:9.

knoweth our frame--literally, "our form."

we are dust--made of and tending to it (Ge 2:7).

Psalms 103:15-16

15-16. So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it.

it is gone--literally, "it is not."

know it no more--no more recognize him (Psa 90:6; Is 40:6-8).

Psalms 103:17-18

17-18. For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.

Psalms 103:19

19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psa 11:4; 47:8).

Psalms 103:20-22

20-22. do his commandments ... word--or, literally, "so as to hearken," &c., that is, their acts of obedience are prompt, so that they are ever ready to hear, and know, and follow implicitly His declared will (compare De 26:17; Lu 1:19).

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