*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.
Psalm 103:1-22 reminds us to be grateful for God’s love and kindness. He forgives our mistakes, heals our hearts, and fills our lives with good things. This teaches us to focus on God’s goodness instead of our worries. No matter what we’ve done or how we feel, His love never changes. Like the psalm says, His love is as high as the sky! We can respond by trusting Him, showing kindness to others, and remembering to thank Him every day.
Psalm 103:1-22 (WEB)
By David.103:1 Praise the LORD, my soul!All that is within me, praise his holy name!2 Praise the LORD, my soul,and don’t forget all his benefits,3 who forgives all your sins,who heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from destruction,who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,5 who satisfies your desire with good things,so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The LORD executes righteous acts,and justice for all who are oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses,his deeds to the children of Israel.8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.9 He will not always accuse;neither will he stay angry forever.10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,nor repaid us for our iniquities.11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like a father has compassion on his children,so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.14 For he knows how we are made.He remembers that we are dust.15 As for man, his days are like grass.As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone.Its place remembers it no more.17 But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him,his righteousness to children’s children,18 to those who keep his covenant,to those who remember to obey his precepts.19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens.His kingdom rules over all.20 Praise the LORD, you angels of his,who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word,obeying the voice of his word.21 Praise the LORD, all you armies of his,you servants of his, who do his pleasure.22 Praise the LORD, all you works of his,in all places of his dominion.Praise the LORD, my soul!