Psalms 103 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
PSALM 103
Psa 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.
1. Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise.
my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.
all ... within me--(De 6:5).
his holy name--(Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
2. forget not all--not any, none of His benefits.
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
3. diseases--as penal inflictions (De 29:22; 2Ch 21:19).
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
4. redeemeth--Cost is implied.
destruction--literally, "pit of corruption" (Psa 16:10).
crowneth--or, "adorneth" (Psa 65:11).
tender mercies--compassions (compare Psa 25:6; 40:11).
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Psa 92:14; compare Is 40:31).
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
7. ways--of providence, &c., as usual (Psa 25:4; 67:2).
acts--literally, "wonders" (Psa 7:11; 78:17).
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Ex 34:6).
keep (anger)--in Le 19:18, bear a grudge (Jr 3:5, 12).
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Ex 34:6).
keep (anger)--in Le 19:18, bear a grudge (Jr 3:5, 12).
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Ex 34:6).
keep (anger)--in Le 19:18, bear a grudge (Jr 3:5, 12).
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
11. great--efficient.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
12. removed ... from us--so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
13. pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
14. he--"who formed," Psa 94:9.
knoweth our frame--literally, "our form."
we are dust--made of and tending to it (Ge 2:7).
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
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 (Psa 90:6; Is 40:6-8).
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
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 (Psa 90:6; Is 40:6-8).
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
17-18. For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
17-18. For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psa 11:4; 47:8).
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
20-22. do his commandments ... word--or, literally, "so as to hearken," &c., 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 De 26:17; Lu 1:19).
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
20-22. do his commandments ... word--or, literally, "so as to hearken," &c., 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 De 26:17; Lu 1:19).
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
20-22. do his commandments ... word--or, literally, "so as to hearken," &c., 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 De 26:17; Lu 1:19).