Introduction to Psalm 103:
Charles Spurgeon
A Psalm of David.—Doubtless by David; it is in his own style when at its best, and we should attribute it to his later years when he had a higher sense of the preciousness of pardon, because a keener sense of sin, than in his younger days. His clear sense of the frailty of life indicates his weaker years, as also does the very fainess of his praiseful gratitude. As in the lofty Alps, some peaks rise above all others so among even the inspired Psalms there are heights of song which overtop the rest. This 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. It is as the apple tree among the trees of the wood, and its golden fruit has a flavor such as no fruit ever bears unless it has been ripened in the full sunshine of mercy. It is man’s reply to the benedictions of his God, his Song on the Mount answering to his Redeemer’s Sermon on the Mount. Nebuchadnezzar adored his idol with flute, harp, sacbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music; and David, in far nobler style awakens all the melodies of heaven and earth in honor of the one only living and true God. Our attempt at exposition is commenced under an impressive sense of the utter impossibility of doing justice to so sublime a composition; we call upon our soul and all that is within us to aid in the pleasurable task; but, alas, our soul is finite, and our all of mental faculty far too little for the enterprise. There is too much in the Psalm, for a thousand pens to write, it is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a Bible in itself, and it might alone almost suffice for the hymn-book of the church.
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Enduring Word
“It is perhaps the most perfect song of pure praise to be found in the Bible…. Through centuries it has been sung by glad hearts, and today is as fresh and full of beauty as ever.” (G. Campbell Morgan)
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Barnes
This very beautiful psalm is entitled “A Psalm of David.” Nothing in the psalm forbids the supposition that he was its author, although nothing in the psalm or elsewhere enables us to ascertain the precise occasion on which it was written.
It seems to have been composed after some signal manifestation of the mercy of God, or some striking proof of his compassion and loving-kindness; after some danger which threatened life, and was regarded as evidence of the divine displeasure, but had now passed by; after God had interposed, and checked and arrested judgments which threatened ruin, and had manifested himself again as a loving Father. This merciful interposition filled the heart of the psalmist with emotions of gratitude and praise and led him to call on his own soul Psalms 103:1-2, and all the angels Psalms 103:20, and the hosts of heaven Psalms 103:21, and all the works of God everywhere Psalms 103:22 to unite in celebrating his praise. The psalm is exceedingly regular in its structure and composition; beautiful in its language and conceptions; adapted to all times and ages; suited to express the feelings of gratitude to God for deliverance from trouble, and for the manifestation of his mercy; suited to elevate the soul, and to fill it with cheerful views. These circumstances have made it a favorite psalm as a vehicle of praise in all ages. It is, moreover, eminently suited to express the feelings of the soul in view of the redeeming love and mercy of God; the goodness of God in the forgiveness of sin through a Savior; and his tender compassion for his people as a Father; and it is, therefore, one to which the Christian oftener turns than to almost any other of the psalms as expressive of the deep and grateful feelings of his heart.
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John Gill
A Psalm of David. The Targum adds, “spoken in prophecy,” as doubtless it was, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Some think it was written by David, after a fit of illness, and his recovery from it, since he speaks of his diseases being healed, and his youth renewed; for which reason the Syriac interpreter suggests it was written in his old age; for he makes the subject of the psalm to be, “concerning coldness which prevailed upon him in old age;” but rather he wrote it when his heart was warm with a sense of the love of God, and spiritual blessings of grace flowing from thence, and in it celebrates and sings the benefits of New Testament times; and it is a psalm suitable to be sung by every believer, under a quick sense of divine favors: wherefore the above interpreter better adds, “also an instruction and thanksgiving by men of God;” whom the psalmist may very well be thought to personate, even in Gospel times; and much rather than the Jews in captivity, as Kimchi thinks.
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Matthew Henry
This psalm calls more for devotion than exposition; it is a most excellent psalm of praise and of general use. The psalmist,
- I. Stirs up himself and his own soul to praise God (v. 1, 2) for his favor to him in particular (v. 3-5), to the church in general, and to all good men, to whom he is, and will be, just, and kind, and constant (v. 6-18), and for his government of the world (v. 19).
- II. He desires the assistance of the holy angels, and all the works of God, in praising him (v. 20-22).
In singing this psalm we must in a special manner get our hearts affected with the goodness of God and enlarged in love and thankfulness.
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Clarke
God is praised for his benefits to his people, 1, 2;
he forgives their iniquities, and heals their diseases, 3;
redeems their lives, crowns them with loving-kindness, 4;
satisfies them with good things, renews their youth, 5;
he helps the oppressed, makes his ways known, is merciful and
gracious, and keeps not his anger forever, 6-9;
his forbearance, and pardoning mercy, 10-12;
he is a tender and considerate Father, 13, 14;
the frail state of man, 15, 16;
God’s everlasting mercy, and universal dominion, 17-19;
all his angels, his hosts, and his works, are invited to praise
him, 20-22.
Praise for the Lord’s Mercies
A Psalm of David.
1
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6
The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19
The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20
Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
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“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
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