Psalms 103: A Song of Gratitude for God's Abundant Blessings
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 forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalms 103 is a heartfelt expression of thanksgiving, a soaring melody of praise dedicated to the Lord. Nestled within the fourth section of the book of Psalms (Psalms 90-106), this psalm, penned by David, invites us to reflect on God's countless benefits and respond with overflowing gratitude. It echoes the sentiment found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, urging us to "give thanks in all circumstances."
An Invitation to Praise (Psalms 103:1-2)
David begins by summoning his entire being, his very soul, to bless the Lord. This isn't a casual acknowledgement; it's a passionate call to worship, a deliberate act of focusing his mind and heart on the goodness of God. He emphasizes the importance of remembering all God's benefits, lest we forget or take them for granted.
A Cascade of Blessings (Psalms 103:3-5)
What are these benefits that stir David's soul? He highlights a range of spiritual and physical blessings: forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, deliverance from destruction, steadfast love and compassion. For those who are weary, God provides renewed vitality. These are tangible expressions of God's grace in David's own life, reasons that continually fill our minds with praise and gratitude.
The Lord's Righteous Character (Psalms 103:6-10)
David then recalls the Lord's righteous deeds and justice, particularly His actions on behalf of the oppressed. He reflects on God's interaction with Moses, revealing His ways and mighty acts performed for Israel's deliverance from Egypt. David emphasizes God's character, echoing the Lord's self-revelation to Moses: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love (Exodus 34:6). Although the Lord justly judged Israel for their sins, He did not deal with them as their sins deserved, extending mercy in the midst of judgment. God desires his wayward children to return to Him.
Immeasurable Love and Forgiveness (Psalms 103:11-13)
David marvels at the magnitude of God's faithful love, describing it as high as the heavens are above the earth. He illustrates the completeness of God's forgiveness by stating that He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. This is a powerful image, suggesting that forgiven sins are never to be seen again. If this was true under the old covenant, how much more is it true through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:14-18)? David beautifully compares God's kindness to a father's compassion for his children, illustrating the tender love the Lord has for those who come to Him in repentance and faith.
The Eternal vs. The Fleeting (Psalms 103:14-18)
David contrasts the enduring nature of God's love with the fleeting nature of human life. As descendants of Adam, we are made of dust (Genesis 2:7). Our lives are like wildflowers, blooming briefly before fading away. In stark contrast, the Lord's faithful love extends from eternity to eternity for those who fear Him—those who remember and obey His precepts.
A Sovereign King and a Universal Call to Praise (Psalms 103:19-22)
David concludes by affirming God's sovereignty as King over all and inviting all of creation—heaven and earth—to bless Him. This psalm, born from a deep understanding of God's faithfulness, culminates in an eruption of praise. May we, as believers, take God seriously and declare His praises.
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 forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalms 103 is a heartfelt expression of thanksgiving, a soaring melody of praise dedicated to the Lord. Nestled within the fourth section of the book of Psalms (Psalms 90-106), this psalm, penned by David, invites us to reflect on God's countless benefits and respond with overflowing gratitude. It echoes the sentiment found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, urging us to "give thanks in all circumstances."
An Invitation to Praise (Psalms 103:1-2)
David begins by summoning his entire being, his very soul, to bless the Lord. This isn't a casual acknowledgement; it's a passionate call to worship, a deliberate act of focusing his mind and heart on the goodness of God. He emphasizes the importance of remembering all God's benefits, lest we forget or take them for granted.
A Cascade of Blessings (Psalms 103:3-5)
What are these benefits that stir David's soul? He highlights a range of spiritual and physical blessings: forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, deliverance from destruction, steadfast love and compassion. For those who are weary, God provides renewed vitality. These are tangible expressions of God's grace in David's own life, reasons that continually fill our minds with praise and gratitude.
The Lord's Righteous Character (Psalms 103:6-10)
David then recalls the Lord's righteous deeds and justice, particularly His actions on behalf of the oppressed. He reflects on God's interaction with Moses, revealing His ways and mighty acts performed for Israel's deliverance from Egypt. David emphasizes God's character, echoing the Lord's self-revelation to Moses: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love (Exodus 34:6). Although the Lord justly judged Israel for their sins, He did not deal with them as their sins deserved, extending mercy in the midst of judgment. God desires his wayward children to return to Him.
Immeasurable Love and Forgiveness (Psalms 103:11-13)
David marvels at the magnitude of God's faithful love, describing it as high as the heavens are above the earth. He illustrates the completeness of God's forgiveness by stating that He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. This is a powerful image, suggesting that forgiven sins are never to be seen again. If this was true under the old covenant, how much more is it true through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:14-18)? David beautifully compares God's kindness to a father's compassion for his children, illustrating the tender love the Lord has for those who come to Him in repentance and faith.
The Eternal vs. The Fleeting (Psalms 103:14-18)
David contrasts the enduring nature of God's love with the fleeting nature of human life. As descendants of Adam, we are made of dust (Genesis 2:7). Our lives are like wildflowers, blooming briefly before fading away. In stark contrast, the Lord's faithful love extends from eternity to eternity for those who fear Him—those who remember and obey His precepts.
A Sovereign King and a Universal Call to Praise (Psalms 103:19-22)
David concludes by affirming God's sovereignty as King over all and inviting all of creation—heaven and earth—to bless Him. This psalm, born from a deep understanding of God's faithfulness, culminates in an eruption of praise. May we, as believers, take God seriously and declare His praises.