Psalms 103:13-22

13 As a father has pity on his children, so the Lord has pity on his worshippers.

14 For he has knowledge of our feeble frame; he sees that we are only dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: his beautiful growth is like the flower of the field.

16 The wind goes over it and it is gone; and its place sees it no longer.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is eternal for his worshippers, and their children's children will see his righteousness;

18 If they keep his agreement, and have his laws in mind to do them.

19 The Lord has made ready his high seat in the heavens; his kingdom is ruling over all.

20 Give praise to the Lord, you his angels, who are great in strength, doing his orders, and waiting for his voice.

21 Give praise to the Lord, all you his armies; and you his servants who do his pleasure.

22 Give praise to the Lord, all his works, in all places under his rule: give praise to the Lord, O my soul.

Psalms 103:13-22 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.