Psalms 103:1-11

1 <> Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!

2 Praise Yahweh, 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 lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfies your desire with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 Yahweh 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 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.

9 He will not always accuse; Neither will he stay angry forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us for our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward those who 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.