*Psalm 103:1-22
Psalm 103 is a hymn of praise to God for his unfailing love, mercy, and forgiveness.
- Praise for God’s Benefits:
- The psalmist begins by exhorting his own soul to bless the Lord and not forget all His benefits, praising God for His goodness and mercy.
- He lists various blessings bestowed by God, including forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, redemption from the pit, crowning with love and compassion, and satisfying with good things.
- God’s Compassion and Mercy:
- The psalmist reflects on God’s character of compassion and mercy, describing Him as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
- He contrasts God’s loving-kindness with humanity’s frailty, comparing it to the height of the heavens above the earth and the distance of the east from the west.
- Fatherly Care and Compassion:
- The psalmist likens God’s compassion to that of a father toward his children, recognizing His tender care and understanding of human frailty.
- He acknowledges that God knows our frame and remembers that we are dust, showing patience and compassion toward His children.
- Universal Sovereignty:
- The psalmist extols God’s universal sovereignty and authority, declaring that His kingdom rules over all and His dominion extends to all generations.
- He calls on all creatures in heaven and on earth to bless the Lord, acknowledging His supremacy and greatness.
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
103:22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.