Psalms 103:1-11

1 [A Psalm] of David. 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 thy iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness 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 to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel.

8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy towards them that fear him.

Psalms 103:1-11 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.