Psalms 103:1-10

1 (102-1) <For David himself.> Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

2 (102-2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.

3 (102-3) Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.

4 (102-4) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

5 (102-5) Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.

6 (102-6) The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.

7 (102-7) He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.

8 (102-8) The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

9 (102-9) He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.

10 (102-10) He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

Psalms 103:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 103

\\<>\\. The Targum adds, ``spoken in prophecy,'' as doubtless it was, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Some think it was written by David, after a fit of illness, and his recovery from it, since he speaks of his diseases being healed, and his youth renewed; for which reason the Syriac interpreter suggests it was written in his old age; for he makes the subject of the psalm to be, ``concerning coldness which prevailed upon him in old age;'' but rather he wrote it when his heart was warm with a sense of the love of God, and spiritual blessings of grace flowing from thence; and in it celebrates and sings the benefits of New Testament times; and it is a psalm suitable to be sung by every believer, under a quick sense of divine favours: wherefore the above interpreter better adds, ``also an instruction and thanksgiving by men of God;'' whom the psalmist may very well be thought to personate, even in Gospel times; and much rather than the Jews in captivity, as Kimchi thinks.