Psalm 103:1-12

Hymn to the Mercy of God

A psalm of David, voicing his thankful acknowledgment of God’s gifts and blessings upon himself, the conclusion calling upon all creatures to join in his song of praise.

V. 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, a most emphatic invitation and admonition, a joyful self-encouragement; and all that is within me bless His holy name, all the organs of the body being called upon to give thanks for the rich blessings of the Lord, to make known the revelation of His essence and all His attributes before men everywhere. V. 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, all the deeds of His mercy and kindness for which He deserves well from all men:

  • v. 3. who forgiveth all thine iniquities, the remission of sins being the fundamental blessing in the life of every Christian, and here not only one, but all sins being included in line for forgiveness;

  • who healeth all thy diseases, those coming upon men as the consequence and punishment of sin, all internal and external sufferings;

  • v. 4. who redeemeth thy life from destruction, delivering, even at a cost to Himself, that of giving His only-begotten Son, from misery and death itself;

  • who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, the full wealth of His grace and mercy being given to the believer like a precious diadem on his head;

  • v. 5. who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, giving His blessings in rich measure, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s, whose annual period of molt was used as a picture of rejuvenation through grace, Is. 40, 31. After this opening admonition there follows a description of God’s gracious rule.

V. 6. The Lord executeth, performing with loving care, righteousness, literally, “deeds of righteousness,” and judgment for all that are oppressed, giving proof of His justice in favor of His people, over against all expressions of enmity on the part of the many adversaries of the believers.

V. 7. He made known His ways unto Moses, by revealing and proclaiming Himself as the Lord of mercy in His march through the history of the world, Ex. 33, 13; 34, 6-8, His acts unto the children of Israel, in accordance with the promise given to Moses upon that occasion.

V. 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, the two attributes here represented being the outstanding features of His conduct toward His children at all times, slow to anger, waiting long and patiently for a sign of repentance before pouring out His wrath, and plenteous in mercy, His greatness in this respect being revealed to the believers throughout their lives.

V. 9. He will not always chide, making man’s behavior a cause for continual legal action, neither will He keep His anger forever, as though bearing a grudge against men. V. 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, for which we should have been punished with everlasting destruction, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities, with the penalty which we had really deserved.

V. 11. For as the heaven is high above the earth, with its almost limitless reaches, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. V. 12. As far as the east is from the west, separated from it by an almost incomprehensibly great expanse, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us, and therefore also their penalty.

The pictures illustrate the endless power and the utter unreservedness of God’s grace.