PSALM 103
. 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.
2. forget not all—not any,
none of His benefits.
4. redeemeth—Cost is implied.
destruction—literally,
"pit of corruption" ().
crowneth—or, "adorneth"
(Psalms 65:11).
tender mercies—compassions
(compare Psalms 25:6; Psalms 40:11).
5. By God's provision, the saint
retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (; compare Isaiah 40:31).
6. Literally, "righteousness
and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
12. removed . . . from us—so
as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
13. pitieth—literally, "has
compassion on."
14. he—"who formed,"
Psalms 94:9.
knoweth our frame—literally,
"our form."
we are dust—made of and
tending to it (Genesis 2:7).
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 (Psalms 90:6; Isaiah 40:6-8).
18. such . . . covenant—limits
the general terms preceding.
righteousness—as usual
(Psalms 7:17; Psalms 31:1).
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
Deuteronomy 26:17 Luke 1:19).
21. ye his hosts—myriads, or
armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [], denoting multitudes also.
22. all his works—creatures of
every sort, everywhere.
PSALM 103
. 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 (Psalms 3:3 Psalms 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.
all . . . within me— (Deuteronomy 6:5).
his holy name— (Deuteronomy 6:5), His complete moral perfections.
2. forget not all—not any, none of His benefits.
3. diseases—as penal inflictions (Deuteronomy 29:22; 2 Chronicles 21:19).
4. redeemeth—Cost is implied.
destruction—literally, "pit of corruption" ().
crowneth—or, "adorneth" (Psalms 65:11).
tender mercies—compassions (compare Psalms 25:6; Psalms 40:11).
5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (; compare Isaiah 40:31).
6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
7. ways—of providence, c., as usual (Psalms 25:4 Psalms 67:2).
acts—literally, "wonders" (Psalms 7:11; Psalms 78:17).
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 Exodus 34:6, bear a grudge (Jeremiah 3:5; Jeremiah 3:12).
11. great—efficient.
12. removed . . . from us—so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
13. pitieth—literally, "has compassion on."
14. he—"who formed," Psalms 94:9.
knoweth our frame—literally, "our form."
we are dust—made of and tending to it (Genesis 2:7).
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 (Psalms 90:6; Isaiah 40:6-8).
17, 18. For similar contrast compare Psalms 90:2-6; Psalms 102:27; Psalms 102:28.
18. such . . . covenant—limits the general terms preceding.
righteousness—as usual (Psalms 7:17; Psalms 31:1).
19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psalms 11:4; Psalms 47:8).
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 Deuteronomy 26:17 Luke 1:19).
21. ye his hosts—myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [], denoting multitudes also.
22. all his works—creatures of every sort, everywhere.