1.

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

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.

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

2. forget not all—not any, none of His benefits.

3.

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

3. diseases—as penal inflictions (Deuteronomy 29:22; 2 Chronicles 21:19).

4.

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

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.

Who 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 (; compare Isaiah 40:31).

6.

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.

7.

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

7. ways—of providence, c., as usual (Psalms 25:4 Psalms 67:2).
acts—literally, "wonders" (Psalms 7:11; Psalms 78:17).

8.

The 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 (Exodus 34:6).
keep (anger)—in Exodus 34:6, bear a grudge (Jeremiah 3:5; Jeremiah 3:12).

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

11. great—efficient.

12.

As 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.

13.

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

13. pitieth—literally, "has compassion on."

14.

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

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.

As 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 (Psalms 90:6; Isaiah 40:6-8).

16.

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

17.

But 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 Psalms 90:2-6; Psalms 102:27; Psalms 102:28.

18.

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

18. such . . . covenant—limits the general terms preceding.
righteousness—as usual (Psalms 7:17; Psalms 31:1).

19.

The 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 (Psalms 11:4; Psalms 47:8).

20.

Bless 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 Deuteronomy 26:17 Luke 1:19).

21.

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

21. ye his hosts—myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [], denoting multitudes also.

22.

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

22. all his works—creatures of every sort, everywhere.