Psalm 103

Psalm 103 belongs to Book Four of the Psalms (Psalms 90–106). It is a psalm of praise placed immediately after Psalm 102, a lament offered in the midst of affliction. The following psalm, Psalm 104, likewise begins and ends with the words "Bless the LORD, O my soul" (to "bless" here means to extol and praise), so the two psalms form a pair.

Structure

• Verses 1–2 The psalmist urges his own soul to bless the LORD and not to forget all His benefits.
• Verses 3–5 The psalmist lists the benefits the LORD bestows: He forgives iniquities, heals diseases, redeems life from destruction, crowns the soul with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and renews youth like the eagle's (verse 5).
• Verses 6–7 The LORD executes judgment on behalf of the oppressed, and He made known His ways to Moses and His acts to the children of Israel.
• Verses 8–14 The psalm celebrates the LORD's character. He is slow to anger and does not repay according to sin. His mercy is as great as the heavens are high above the earth, and He removes transgressions as far as the east is from the west (verses 11–12). He pities His people as a father pities his children, and He remembers that human beings are dust.
• Verses 15–18 Human life passes away like grass and the flower of the field. Yet the mercy of the LORD extends from everlasting to everlasting upon those who keep His covenant.
• Verses 19–22 The psalm calls on the angels, the heavenly hosts, and all of God's works to bless the LORD, who has established His throne in the heavens, and it closes by repeating its opening line.

Key Verses

• Psalm 103:2 "Forget not all his benefits." The verse shows that remembering what God has done is the foundation of praise.
• Psalm 103:8 "Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." This verse echoes God's self-revelation in Exodus 34:6.
• Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west." This verse is frequently cited to describe the forgiveness of sin.

People and Places

• David: Named in the superscription.
• Moses: Mentioned as the one to whom the LORD made known His ways.
• The children of Israel: The people to whom the LORD's acts were made known.
• Angels and the heavenly hosts: Heavenly beings summoned to bless the LORD in the closing section.

Points for Reflection

• The superscription "A Psalm of David" is traditionally read as indicating Davidic authorship. Scholars, however, differ over when the superscriptions were added and what they signify.
• Pentecostal and Full Gospel traditions emphasize verse 3, "Who healeth all thy diseases," as a basis for divine healing (God's healing of illness). Other denominations often read it more broadly as an expression of God's care for the whole person.
• The wording of verse 17 resembles Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:50. The father imagery of verse 13 is often read in connection with the New Testament practice of addressing God as Father.

In the Korean Church

Psalm 103 is frequently used as a sermon text on the theme of thanksgiving, especially for Thanksgiving and Midyear Thanksgiving (Feast of Harvest) services. The Korean version of the contemporary worship song "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," which is based on this psalm, is widely sung in Korean churches.