Psalm 103

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Personal praise. (1-5)

A. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

B. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

1. Who forgives all thy iniquities.

2. Who heals all thy diseases.

3. Who redeems thy life from destruction (from going to waste).

4. Who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

5. Who satisfies thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

II. National praise. (6-18)

A. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

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

C. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

1. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.

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

3. As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

4. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

D. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him.

E. He knows our frame:

1. He remembers that we are dust.

2. He knows that our days are as grass or a flower of the field:

It flourishes, but then the wind comes and it is gone and not remembered.

F. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him:

1. It extends to children's children.

2. To such as keep His covenant.

3. To those that remember His commandments to do them.

III. Praise from all creation. (19-21)

A. The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens and His kingdom rules over all.

B. Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word.

C. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts.

D. Bless the Lord, ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.

E. Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion.

F. Conclusion: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 103,5 עֶדְיֵךְ {B} MT // exeg: G, α', ε', Hebr, S, T

Ps 103,20 מַלְאָכָיו {B} MT, Qb, Gal, Hebr, S // emph: G clav כל מלאכיו