Psalm 103 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

103:1

Psalm 103:1-22. A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God‘s gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man‘s frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song.

Bless, etc. — when God is the object, praise.

my soul — myself (Psalm 3:3; Psalm 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.

all within me — (Deuteronomy 6:5).

his holy name — (Psalm 5:11), His complete moral perfections.

103:2

forget not all — not any, none of His benefits.

103:3

diseases — as penal inflictions (Deuteronomy 29:22; 2 Chronicles 21:19).

103:4

redeemeth — Cost is implied.

destruction — literally, “pit of corruption” (Psalm 16:10).

crowneth — or, “adorneth” (Psalm 65:11).

tender mercies — compassions (compare Psalm 25:6; Psalm 40:11).

103:5

By God‘s provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Psalm 92:14; compare Isaiah 40:31).

103:6

Literally, “righteousness and judgments,” denoting various acts of God‘s government.

103:7

ways — of providence, etc., as usual (Psalm 25:4; Psalm 67:2).

acts — literally, “wonders” (Psalm 7:11; Psalm 78:17).

103:8-10

God‘s benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Exodus 34:6).

keep (anger) — in Leviticus 19:18, bear a grudge (Jeremiah 3:5, Jeremiah 3:12).

103:11

great — efficient.

103:12

removed from us — so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.

103:13

pitieth — literally, “has compassion on.”

103:14

he — “who formed,” Psalm 94:9.

knoweth our frame — literally, “our form.”

we are dust — made of and tending to it (Genesis 2:7).

103:15-16

So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it.

it is gone — literally, “it is not.”

know it no more — no more recognize him (Psalm 90:6; Isaiah 40:6-8).

103:17-18

For similar contrast compare Psalm 90:2-6; Psalm 102:27, Psalm 102:28.

103:18 covenant — limits the general terms preceding.

righteousness — as usual (Psalm 7:17; Psalm 31:1).

103:19

God‘s firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psalm 11:4; Psalm 47:8).

103:20-22 word — or, literally, “so as to hearken,” etc., that is, their acts of obedience are prompt, so that they are ever ready to hear, and know, and follow implicitly His declared will (compare Deuteronomy 26:17; Luke 1:19).103:21

ye his hosts — myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [Psalm 103:20 ], denoting multitudes also.

103:22

all his works — creatures of every sort, everywhere.