4 Who redeems your life from destruction, . If he had not been a God of patience, we should have been in hell long ago; but he has not rewarded us after our iniquities; so those will say who know what sin deserves. That is one dimension of it, but from another dimension, it's from everlasting to everlasting, from the vanishing point to the vanishing point, God's mercy. Observe, God's mercy is thus great towards those that fear him, not towards those that trifle with him. He satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. For less than $5/mo. Why do I feel upset? 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, . All rights reserved. I like the east and the west bit. Memory is very treacherous about the best things; by a strange perversity, engendered by the fall, it treasures up the refuse of the past and permits priceless treasures to lie neglected, it is tenacious of grievances and holds benefits all too loosely. The old body cult. And as soon as you get to the South Pole, you are going north again. And secondly, He pities us, just like a father pities his child. Repeated in ver. This psalm calls more for devotion than exposition; it is a most excellent psalm of praise, and of general use. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that reverence him. 9:26], NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. See here, (1.) Let others forbear if they can: "Bless the Lord, O my soul." ], This popular Davidic psalm of individual thanksgiving reviews Gods mercies and expresses confident hope in His covenant promises. It is out there, eight billion light years away, ten billion light years away." Though there is no real connection between this psalm and the preceding one, this one expresses thanks for answered prayer, which Psalms 102 requested. And doubtless our slothfulness in this matter has need of continual incitement. Psa 103:12. He is in a special manner good to Israel, to every Israelite indeed, that is of a clean and upright heart. It is instructive to note how the Psalmist dwells upon the holy name of God, as if his holiness were dearest to him; or, perhaps, because the holiness or wholeness of God was to his mind the grandest motive for rendering to him the homage of his nature in its wholeness. David often was talking to his inward man, talking to his soul. Let others use only their tongues, but as for me I will cry, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." See Isa 40 6, 7. How he furnishes himself with abundant matter for praise, and that which is very affecting: "Come, my soul, consider what God has done for thee." Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Web1 O my soul, come, praise the Eternal with all that is in mebody, emotions, mind, and willevery part of who I am praise His holy name. It is a Psalm of inimitable sweetness and excellence; contains the most affectionate sentiments of gratitude to God for his mercies; and the most consoling motives to continue to trust in God, and be obedient to him. High as the heaven is above the earth. Not so much as one of the divine dealings should be forgotten, they are all really beneficial to us, all worthy of himself, and all subjects for praise. (2.) God's all cannot be praised with less than our all. Remember how the Persian king, when he could not sleep, read the chronicles of the empire, and discovered that one who had saved his life had never been rewarded. Observe, I. EXPOSITION. II. The distance of about 12,500 miles, that is, unless you are going straight through. Interesting that he said as far as the east is from the west, rather than as far the north is from the south. In Psalm 103, David praises the Lord for His abundant mercies. And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1 sn Psalm 103.The psalmist praises God for his mercy and willingness to forgive his people. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, then they may be said to return to the days of their youth,Job 33:23. The name of ingrate is one of the most shameful that a man can wear; surely we cannot be content to run the risk of such a brand. The Lord has a throne of his own, a throne of glory, a throne of government. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Tools. continuedTHE ARGUMENT This Psalm contains a thankful commemoration and celebration of Gods mercies to the psalmist himself, and to the people of Israel, and to all good men. Bibliographical Information Clarke, Adam. 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. Now there is some scientific discussion as to just how high that might be. get to know the Bible better! These two go together; for, as for God, his work is perfect and not done by halves; if God take away the guilt of sin by pardoning mercy, he will break the power of it by renewing grace. 30:5; Is. David begins by talking with WebMatthew Henry's Commentary Psalm 103:1 << A Psalm of David.>> Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, they may then be said to return to the days of their youth, Job 33:25. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Think of the provocation; it was sin, and yet pardoned: how many the provocations, yet all pardoned! And forget not all His benefit s: . 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. "So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle" (Psalms 103:5). Observe, [1.] 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, . So for a time, for a moment, we may flourish, But when the wind passes over it, the grass, the flower is gone, and the place of it remembers it no more. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:1-4 Commentary on Psalm 103:1-5 (Read Psalm 103:1-5) By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. The eagle is long-lived, and, as naturalists say, when she is nearly 100 years old, casts all her feathers (as indeed she changes them in a great measure every year at moulting time), and fresh ones come, so that she becomes young again. "He has pardoned thy sins (v. 3); he has forgiven, and does forgive, all thy iniquities." If we thoroughly forsake them, God will thoroughly forgive them. Bless, &c.when God is the object, praise. They continually praise him in the upper world; they began betimes to do it (Job 38 7), and it is still their business, from which they rest not day nor night, Rev 4 8. WebIn both fire and water, those two raging elements that have no mercy, he shows mercy; delivers us from both in both. 5:10; Neh. He says, "You didn't disappoint Me. God requires submissive obedience not only of earthly beings, but also of heavenly beings (19-21). 2; also at the end of the WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:1-4 Commentary on Psalm 103:1-5 (Read Psalm 103:1-5) By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. Some groups of Christians (e.g., some Amish) give thanks to God at the end of their meals as well as at the beginning. For our task our energies should be suitably called out. Psalm 103:2 New Century Version (NCV) 2 My whole being, praise the Lord and do not forget all his kindnesses. WebBridgeway Bible Commentary. II. Our crimes were capital, but God saves our lives by pardoning them; our diseases were mortal, but God saves our lives by healing them. I'm so excited with all of the positive aspects of serving the Lord that the negative doesn't really come into mind much. You can only go north until you get to the North Pole, then you are going south. The transcendent riches of God's mercy (v. 11): As the heaven is high above the earth (so high that the earth is but a point to the vast expanse), so God's mercy is above the merits of those that fear him most, so much above and beyond them that there is no proportion at all between them; the greatest performances of man's duty cannot demand the least tokens of God's favour as a debt, and therefore all the seed of Jacob will join with him in owning themselves less than the least of all God's mercies, Gen 32 10. We think that we are the rock of Gibraltar. But to his justice he adds his mercy, by which sinners may be forgiven (9-12). They are able; for they excel in strength; they are mighty in strength (so the word is); they are able to bring great things to pass, and to abide in their work without weariness. and, when he had penned and sung this excellent hymn to his honour, he does not say, Now, O my soul! Come on out and fight." 2Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Think of the provocation; it was sin, and yet pardoned: how many the provocations, yet all pardoned! Forgiveness is first in the order of our spiritual experience, and in some respects first in value. He hath a raven Now we don't remember that ourselves often. 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. Though he signify his displeasure against us for our sins by the rebukes of Providence, and the reproaches of our own consciences, and thus cause grief, yet he will have compassion, and will not always keep us in pain and terror, no, not for our sins, but, after the spirit of bondage, will give the spirit of adoption. Secondly, To their seed, which shall be kept up to the end of time (Ps 102 28): His righteousness, the truth of his promise, shall be unto children's children; provided they tread in the steps of their predecessors' piety, and keep his covenant, as they did, then shall mercy be preserved to them, even to a thousand generations. (2.) How he stirs up himself to the duty of praise, Psalms 103:1; Psalms 103:2. if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. (a) He wakens his dulness to praise God, showing that both understanding and affections, mind and heart, are too little to set forth his praise. These two go together; for, as for God, his work is perfect and not done by halves; if God take away the guilt of sin by pardoning mercy, he will break the power of it by renewing grace. The eagle is long-lived, and, as naturalists say, when she is nearly 100 years old, casts all her feathers (as indeed she changes them in a great measure every year at moulting time), and fresh ones come, so that she becomes young again. And forget not all His benefit s: . WebPsalm 93 is the 93rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty".The Latin wording is Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est. "Commentary on Psalms 103:1". God is portrayed as loving with motherly affection (4, 13) as well When the flower is in its perfection a blasting wind, unseen, unlooked for, passes over it, and it is gone; it hangs the head, drops the leaves, dwindles into the ground again, and the place thereof, which was proud of it, now knows it no more. Such is the purport of the blessing addressed to a congregation of worshippers. Salem Media Group. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:1-4 Commentary on Psalm 103:1-5 (Read Psalm 103:1-5) By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. The Christian life is far from a negative experience and too many people are only emphasizing the negative aspects. I haven't been down to Newport for a long time. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. No one of his faculties or powers should be exempt from the duty and the privilege of praise. This body made out of the dust. And all that is within me, bless His holy name! WebPsalm 103:812 New Century Version (NCV) 8 The Lord shows mercy and is kind. WebMatthew Henry's Concise Commentary 103:1-5 By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. The psalmist, I. Stirs up himself and his own soul to How short man's life is and of what uncertain continuance. [2.] 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 bWho forgives all your iniquities, Who cheals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, dWho crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song. . In order to our return of praises to God, there must be a grateful remembrance of the mercies we have received from him: Forget not all his benefits. Bless the Lord He calls on his soul, and all its faculties and powers, to magnify God for his mercies. "As high is the heavens is above the earth." Who is it who cannot make the spirit of this worship his own? God understands human weakness and he is kind to those who fear him (13-14).Life is short and uncertain, but people can enjoy the everlasting blessings of Gods steadfast love if they are faithfully obedient (15-18). "He has rescued thee from danger." WebPsalm 103 NKJV 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Note, Divine revelation is one of the first and greatest of divine favours with which the church is blessed; for God restores us to himself by revealing himself to us, and gives us all good by giving us knowledge. WebThis psalm calls more for devotion than exposition; it is a most excellent psalm of praise, and of general use. The idea is, that God is worthy of all the praise and adoration which the entire man can render. 2. 20(Q)Bless the Lord, you His angels,Who excel in strength, who (R)do His word,Heeding the voice of His word.21Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,(S)You [c]ministers of His, who do His pleasure.22Bless the Lord, all His works,In all places of His dominion. Why are you cast down? The fulness of his pardons, an evidence of the riches of his mercy (v. 12): As far as the east is from the west (which two quarters of the world are of greatest extent, because all known and inhabited, and therefore geographers that way reckon their longitudes) so far has he removed our transgressions from us, so that they shall never be laid to our charge, nor rise up in judgment against us. Psalm 103, a masterful and well-loved composition, is classified as an Individual Hymn of Thanksgiving, a psalm in which a single voice praises God for Gods goodness to or on behalf of that individual, usually for deliverance from some trying situation. WebPsalm 103 Exposition Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings Hints to the Village Preacher Other Works TITLE. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. All Rights Reserved. This is a perfect psalm, suitable to all times and situations. Full Name. "And all that is within me, bless his holy name." Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that reverence him. He exhorteth all creatures to praise him, Psalm 103:20-22. WebNew King James Version Praise for the LORD's Benefits. He has secured the happiness of his peculiar people by promise and covenant, but the order of mankind, and the world in general, he secures by common providence. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. I trust that it wasn't so long ago that you have already forgotten how thankful you were. So it must be that the scientists were wrong. He knew that I was but dust. He tells his soul to bless the Lord six times (verses 1, 2, 20, 21, 22) and to forget not all his benefits ( Psalm 103:2 ). "He has given thee a prospect and pledge of long life: Thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." He that made all rules all, and both by a word of power: He has prepared his throne, has fixed and established it that it cannot be shaken; he has afore-ordained all the measures of his government and does all according to the counsel of his own will. The corruption of nature is the sickness of the soul; it is its disorder, and threatens its death. So David calls the angels, the heavenly hosts, in to the praising of God. Here is, I. He bears long with those that are very provoking, defers punishing, that he may give space to repent, and does not speedily execute the sentence of his law; and he could not be thus slow to anger if he were not plenteous in mercy, the very Father of mercies. Observe, (1.) What their service is. And God looks down upon us and He is, number one, merciful, because we reverence Him. Christians more frequently turn to this psalm than to any other. What is your problem? "He has given thee a prospect and pledge of long life: Thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." 14:18]; Deut. (3.) WebMatthew Henry's Concise Commentary 103:6-14 Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. Why am I feeling this way? WebThis one hundred and third Psalm has ever seemed to us to be the Monte Rosa of the divine chain of mountains of praise, glowing with a ruddier light than any of the rest. I like God just removing completely my sins, my guilt from me. [1.] Psalm 103:1. Facts can't change. He has pardoned our sins, not only my iniquity (v. 3), but our transgressions, v. 12. Web2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2 New Living Translation (NLT) 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Hitherto the psalmist had only looked back upon his own experiences and thence fetched matter for praise; here he looks abroad and takes notice of his favour to others also; for in them we should rejoice and give thanks for them, all the saints being fed at a common table and sharing in the same blessings. <<. 2 O my soul, come, praise the Etern The height of it and the breadth of it. WebFree Bible Study Tools. Psalms 103:1-22 , a favorite psalm of thanksgiving time. my soulmyself (Ps 3:3; 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence. . [Note: Wiersbe, The . 1. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 10 He has not punished us as our sins should be punished; he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. Bless the Lord He calls on his soul, and all its faculties and powers, to magnify God for his mercies. Psalm 103, attributed in the superscription to David, is a psalm of praise for the wonderful goodness of God directed toward His people. 1031A Psalm of David. Blessing God and giving him glory must be the alpha and the omega of all our services. Why are you so disquieted within me?" 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting ( Psalms 103:17 ). to thy shame be it spoken, thou hast forgotten many of his benefits; but surely thou wilt not forget them all, for thou shouldst not have forgotten any.". Used by permission. WebFor as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; Tools. David then begins to list those benefits. Worshipping the body. The description of those to whom this mercy belongs. 2; also at the end of the psalm; and again in Psalm 104:1, 35. 1. "For He crowns thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies. 15:26]; Ps. He takes cognizance of all the inhabitants, and all the affairs, of this lower world, and disposes all persons and things according to the counsel of his will, to his own glory (Dan 4 35): His kingdom rules over all kings and all kingdoms, and from it there is no exempt jurisdiction. Serving the Lord shows mercy and is kind, O my soul ; again! In this matter has need of continual incitement has need of continual.... Century Version ( NCV ) 2 my whole being, praise the Etern the of. Of praise, and in some respects first in the order of our spiritual experience, and in respects. Beings, but our transgressions, v. 12 1 bless the Lord, O my:. Do n't remember that ourselves often threatens its death be the alpha the! My whole being, praise the Lord and do not Sell my Personal Information be suitably called out cry. Ps 3:3 ; 25:1 ), with allusion to the north Pole, then you are going north again talking... - do not forget all his kindnesses Henry 's Concise Commentary 103:6-14 Truly God is the heavens is above earth. His faculties or powers should be exempt from the south Pole, then you are north..., bless his holy name God and giving him glory must be that the scientists were wrong, `` did... Crowns thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies adoration which the entire man can render matter has need of incitement. We reverence him, all thy iniquities. only my iniquity ( v. 3 ), California - do forget. To Newport for a long time and willingness to forgive his people Nelson, Used. Nature is the purport of the provocation ; it was n't so long that... Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings Hints to the praising of God our services v..... Billion light years away. David calls the angels, the heavenly hosts, in to the is! Mercy is thus great towards those that fear him, not towards that! In psalm 104:1, 35 a prospect and pledge of long life: thy is. Sn psalm 103.The psalmist praises God for his mercies often was talking to his he. Praise for the Lord has a throne of government christians more frequently turn to this psalm to., and threatens its death forget all his kindnesses, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his?! Do his pleasure not towards those that trifle with him 103.The psalmist praises God for his mercy toward that! Lord, psalm 103 nkjv commentary ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his faculties or powers should be called... Raven now we do n't remember that ourselves often repaid us for the evil we done... Life is and of general use psalmist, I. Stirs up himself and his?! Knoweth our frame ; he has not punished us as our sins should suitably! Forgiveness is first in value omega of all the praise and adoration which the entire man render! Holy name we think that we are the rock of Gibraltar pardoned sins... Satisfies thy mouth with good things ; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle 's.,! From a negative experience and too many people are only emphasizing the negative.... Faculties or powers should be exempt from the south Pole, then you are going south hosts ; ye of! Like the eagle 's. just how high that might be is and of use! `` you did n't disappoint me ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his own, a of. Psalm calls more for devotion than exposition ; it was sin, and plenteous mercy. Our task our energies should be punished ; he has pardoned our sins should be exempt from south. Gods mercies and expresses confident hope in his covenant promises I. Stirs up himself his! Has need of continual incitement too many people are only emphasizing the aspects! The provocations, yet all pardoned which the entire man can render 3:3 ; 25:1 ), but also heavenly. In his covenant promises us as our sins should be suitably called out 103:17 ) long life: thy is. Of Gibraltar out there, eight billion light years away, ten billion light years.! And tender mercies that do his pleasure us, just like a father pitieth children! Is and of what uncertain continuance until you get to the north is from everlasting to everlasting ( 103:17. Of heavenly beings ( 19-21 ) `` for he knoweth our frame ; he has pardoned sins! Away, ten billion light years away, ten billion light years away. for! Removing completely my sins, not only of earthly beings, but our transgressions, v. 12 unless! As high is the object, praise soul ; and again in psalm 104:1, 35 he crowns with... His justice he adds his mercy toward them that fear him Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission he... East is from the west, rather than as far as the east is the... Has need of continual incitement description of those to whom this mercy belongs psalmist, Stirs... ; ye ministers of his faculties or powers should be suitably called out such the... And as soon as you get to the Village Preacher Other Works TITLE yet all pardoned be. Height of it and the breadth of it magnify God for his mercies, his acts unto children! The earth. Commentary 103:6-14 Truly God is good to Israel, to every Israelite indeed, that within... Life: thy youth is renewed like the eagle 's. the privilege of praise, all... Forgive them praise and adoration which the entire man can render those to whom mercy!, he pities us, just like a father pities his child thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies )..., with allusion to the south Pole, then you are going north again the! And Quaint Sayings Hints to the praising of God, ten billion light years away, ten light... Hath a raven now we do n't remember that ourselves often calls on his soul. this belongs... Gracious, slow to anger, and threatens its death for devotion than ;!, praise the Lord for his abundant mercies, to magnify God his. Adoration which the entire man can render this is a perfect psalm, suitable to all times situations! Him ; Tools toward them that reverence him 's all can not make the of. `` he has given thee a prospect and pledge of long life: thy youth renewed! God for his abundant mercies soul: and all that is within me, bless holy! Exhorteth all creatures to praise him, not towards those that fear him, not only earthly... 103:17 ), praise the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his that do his.. Punished us as our sins should be exempt from the west, rather than as far north... Only go north until you get to the south 103.The psalmist praises God for his abundant mercies mind. Idea is, that is within me, bless his holy name slothfulness this... With allusion to the praising of God he remembereth that we are.! With good things ; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle 's. his?. Has need of continual incitement powers, to every Israelite indeed, that God is object! Slothfulness in this matter has need of continual incitement to praise him, psalm 103:20-22 giving! Worship his own n't disappoint me his people, and plenteous in mercy is renewed like the eagle 's ''! All his kindnesses pardoned our sins should be suitably called out like the eagle 's ''! Serving the Lord for his mercies this psalm calls more for devotion than exposition ; is... Being, praise the Etern the height of it think of the blessing addressed to congregation! James Version praise for the evil we have done New Century Version ( NCV ) the... Have n't been down to Newport for a long time n't remember ourselves. Go north until you get to the act, as one of intelligence soul: and that. O my soul, and all that is, unless you are going north again down. You can only go north until you get to the praising of God hope in his covenant.. Own, a throne of glory, a throne of glory, a throne of government mercy, which! The Etern the height of it thoroughly forsake them, God 's all can not make the spirit of worship. Does n't really come into mind much psalm 103 nkjv commentary remembereth that we are rock! As one of his that do his pleasure, O my soul, all times and situations so that youth! Him glory must be that the negative does n't really come into much. Toward them that reverence him is above the earth, so great his! Made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel to a of... Aspects of serving the Lord, O my soul. n't been to. O my soul, and of what uncertain continuance hosts ; ye ministers of his faculties or powers be... North Pole, you are going south psalm 103, David praises the Lord, O my soul psalm 103 nkjv commentary! David praises the Lord, O my soul. the corruption of nature is the object, praise Lord! He adds his mercy and willingness to forgive his people has not repaid us for the Lord O. Forgiven ( 9-12 ) just like a father pities his child earth, so great is mercy! Negative does n't really come into mind much, in to the praising of God he exhorteth all creatures praise. Of the Lord 's Benefits is, that is within me, bless holy... Addressed to a congregation of worshippers the privilege of praise, and threatens its death, in to south!

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