Psalm 103:1-5 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:2

Bless the Lord, O my soul. Repetition, in Holy Scripture, is almost always for the sake of emphasis. It is not " vain repetition." Our Lord often uses it: "Verily, verily, I say unto you;" "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? …. Feed my sheep … Feed my sheep." And forget not all his benefits (comp. Deuteronomy 6:12 ; Deuteronomy 8:11 , Deuteronomy 8:14 , etc.). Man is so apt to "forget," that he requires continual exhortation not to do so. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities. This is the first and greatest of "benefits," and is therefore placed first, as that for which we ought, above all else, to bless God. God's forgiveness of sin is a frequent topic with the psalmists (see Psalms 25:11 , Psalms 25:18 ; Psalms 32:1 ; Psalms 51:9 ; Psalms 85:2 ; Psalms 86:5 , etc.). Who healeth all thy diseases. This is best understood literally—not as mere "parallelism." Among the greatest blessings which we receive of God is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:3

God the Healer of disease. Though this psalm is one of the most familiar, both its authorship and its particular occasion are quite unknown. Early in the psalm this text comes. It is part of a review of God's personal mercies to the psalmist, but it is doubtful whether the psalmist referred to times of bodily disease and bodily healing, or to the soul diseases which answer to "iniquities." In view of the way in which Eastern poets loved to repeat their thought with slightly altered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:4

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction. When sickness seems about to be mortal, or when danger threatens from foes, God often steps in and "redeems" men— i.e , saves them, rescues them (see Psalms 56:13 ; Psalms 116:8 ; Isaiah 38:16 , Isaiah 38:20 ). Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies (comp. Psalms 8:5 ; Psalms 18:50 ; Psalms 23:6 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:4

The Divine crown on man. "Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies." What various answers could be given to the question—What is the true crown of a man's life?" No doubt the term "crown" may be used in a variety of senses. The psalmist seems here to think of the crown as that which bedecks and beautifies; and he makes us think of the crown of flowers on the May queen, rather than of the jewelled crowns on wealthy kings. So the question comes to be—What is the true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:5

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things. So Dean Johnson and our Revisers. But the rendering of עדי by "mouth" is very doubtful. The original meaning of the word seems to have been "gay ornament," whence it passed to "gaiety," "desire of enjoyment," "desire" generally ( τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν σου , LXX .). Dr. Kay translates, "thy gay heart;" Professor Cheyne, "thy desire." God satisfies the reasonable desires of his servants, giving them "all things richly to enjoy" ( 1 Timothy 6:17 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:5

Renewed youth. How can that be? We must grow old. Every day brings us nearer to old age, and there is no escaping it except by premature departure. We pass on by stages which succeed each other in regular and well marked order from infancy to the last scene of all, the second childhood, which finds us " sans teeth, eyes, taste—everything." With all of us age creeps on apace, but almost unnoticed. Now, our ideal of age shifts. Children think all grown up people old, and some very old. But... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:1

Bless the Lord, O my soul - The word “bless,” as applied to God, means to praise, implying always a strong affection for him as well as a sense of gratitude. As used with reference to people, the word implies a “wish” that they may be blessed or happy, accompanied often with a prayer that they may be so. Such is the purport of the “blessing” addressed to a congregation of worshippers. Compare Numbers 6:23-27. The word “soul” here is equivalent to mind or heart: my mental and moral powers, as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:2

Bless the Lord, O my soul - The repetition here denotes the intensity or earnestness of the wish or desire of the psalmist. It is an emphatic calling upon his soul, that is, himself, never to forget the many favors which God was continually conferring upon him.And forget not all his benefits - Any of his favors. This refers not to those favors in the aggregate, but it is a call to remember them in particular. The word rendered “benefits” - גמול gemûl - means properly an act, work, doing,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities - Pardoning all thy sins. That is, It is a characteristic of God to pardon sin, and I have evidence that he has done it in my own case, and this is a ground for praise. It is observable that this is the first thing in view of the psalmist - the first of the “benefits” which he had received from God, or the first thing in importance among his acts or his dealings, which called for praise. Properly considered, this is the first thing which calls for praise. That... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:3

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