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David

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

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Scripture (KJV)

1Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

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

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

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

12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Summary

Psalm 103 is a soaring hymn of thanksgiving in which David calls his own soul to bless the Lord and forget none of His benefits. The psalm catalogues God’s grace: He forgives all iniquities, heals all diseases, redeems life from destruction, crowns with steadfast love, and satisfies the mouth with good so that youth is renewed like the eagle’s. David then meditates on the Lord’s character—merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy—who does not deal with us as our sins deserve. The famous image of verse 12—transgressions removed as far as the east is from the west—captures the totality of divine forgiveness.

The closing movement expands from personal praise to cosmic worship: the Lord’s throne is in the heavens, His kingdom rules over all, and the angels, hosts, ministers, and all His works in all places of His dominion are summoned to bless Him. The major themes are thanksgiving, forgiveness, mercy, God’s compassion, and His everlasting righteousness. Practically, the psalm teaches the discipline of preaching to one’s own soul and rehearsing God’s benefits. The great lesson is that the God who knows our dust crowns us with mercy that reaches from everlasting to everlasting.

Key Themes

A Prayer from Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! I will not forget Your benefits, Lord. You forgive all my iniquities, heal all my diseases, redeem my life from destruction, and crown me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. You satisfy my mouth with good things and renew my youth like the eagle’s. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy. You have not dealt with me after my sins nor rewarded me according to my iniquities. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your mercy toward those who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, remove my transgressions from me. As a father pities his children, pity me, for You remember that I am dust. Let Your mercy be from everlasting to everlasting upon me, and establish Your righteousness to my children’s children. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. 1Which of God’s benefits have I been forgetting, and how can I rehearse them today?
  2. 2What does it mean that God removes my sins “as far as the east is from the west”?
  3. 3How does knowing God remembers that I am dust change how I view myself and others?
  4. 4Whom can I invite to “bless the Lord” alongside me this week?

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