Psalms 103: Blessing the Lord for His Boundless Mercy

Psalms 103 articulates a masterful internal dialogue where the soul is commanded to remember all of God's 'benefits,' from the forgiveness of sins to the healing of diseases. It reveals the heart of the Father, who knows our frame—that we are but dust—and removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. This chapter is a comprehensive catalog of God's character as compassionate, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

  1. v1-5: Commanding the Soul to Remember God's Benefits
  2. v6-14: The Character of God: Fatherly Mercy and Forgiveness
  3. v15-18: The Contrast of Human Frailty and Eternal Covenant
  4. v19-22: The Universal Call to Bless the Lord

Psalms chapter 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Conduct a spiritual audit of your life by listing the specific ways God has redeemed you from 'the pit' of despair. Begin your study with psalms 103 summary.

The metaphor 'as far as the east is from the west' is mathematically profound; unlike north and south which meet at poles, east and west never meet, symbolizing total removal. The 'Word Secret' is *Rachum*, meaning 'compassionate,' derived from the Hebrew word for 'womb,' implying a deep, mother-like protective love. Discover the riches with psalms 103 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden psalms 103 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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2 min read (342 words)