Psalms 103

David rowseth and stirreth up himself, to praise God for the manifold mercies and favours, shewed both to himself and to the whole Church; which he manifested as well in his word as in his works; exhorting therefore all Creatures, to Laud ad praise God together with himself.

1. (A Psalm) of David. Praise the LORD, my soul, and all that is within me [That is, all my thoughts and inward motions, affections, desires, and whatsoever lies in my abilities] his holy Name.

2. Praise the LORD my soul, and forget none of his benefits [Heb. Forget not all his benefits.]

3. Who pardoneth all thine iniquity, who healeth all thy diseases. [i.e. all thy miseries of soul and body. So likewise Exod.15.26. Deut.28.59.61: Psalms 41:5.147.3. Isai.33.24. See the Annotations, Psalm 30.on verse 3.]

4. Who redeemeth thy life from the destruction, [i.e. from death, and the grave; or from extremity of strengths and trouble] who crowneth thee with kindness and mercies. (or compassions.)

5. Who satisfieth thy mouth [Richly providing all necessaries for thee; Heb. Thy ornament, or comeliness: thus the mouth is called here, as the tongue else where an honour] with good: reneweth thy youth as an Eagles. [i.e. God vouchsaseth thee even in thy old age, such vigour and liveliness as the Eagles have by Nature, coming to a very great age, (See Isa.40.31.) and die at last, not by decay of strength and vigour through old age, but by famine, when their upper bill so overroweth and barreth the lower, that they can feed no longer.]

6. The LORD doth righteousness; [Heb. Righteousnesses] and judgements [Heb. And rights, or judgements, i.e. all manner of justice, or the exactest Justice. So likewise Prov.9.v.1. wisdoms, is put for the exactest, highest wisdom] to all those that are oppressed.

7. He hath made known his ways to Moseh, [viz. Wherein he and the people of Israel were to walk. As Exodus 18:20. Psalms 25:4.5.] his acts to the children of Israel.

8. Merciful and gracious is the LORD, long-suffering and great of kindness.

9. He shall not contend always, nor keep, (the wrath) forever. [The like imperfect phrases, you find likewise else where. As Psal.109.21. Nah.1.2. See the Annot.on 2 Sam.8.6.]

10. He doth not do unto us according to our sins: [i.e. he dealeth not with, or doth not punish us, according to the greatness or number of our sins] and doth not recompence us according to our iniquities: (or unrighteousnesses.)

11. For as high as the Heaven is above the Earth, is his kindness mighty over those that fear him. [Heb. As the height of the Heaven is above the earth, so strong is his kindness, etc.]

12. As far as the East is from the West, [Hebr. The rising from the going down: or from the even-tide, evening] so far removeth he our trespasses from us.

13. Like as a father hath compassion over the children; (so) hath the LORD compassion over those that fear him.

14. For he knoweth of what make we are, [Heb. He knoweth our forming. The Prophet will say, the LORD knoweth how weak and feeble we are, and how soon it is done with us. See Psalms 78:39.] remembering that we are dust. [i.e. made of dust.]

15. The days of man are as grass [Or, hay:] like a flower of the field, so he flourishethy.

16. When the wind hath gone over it, then it is no more, and its place knoweth it no more. (As if he should say, the flower being cut down and withered, doth not know, nor cannot shew any more where it stood and grew: and so there remaineth nothing over of a man; insomuch that one cannot know whether ever there were any such, or where they stood and lived, Job 7:10.]

17. But the goodess of the LORD is from Eternity, and unto Eternity over those that fear him, and his righteousness to childrens children, [i.e. His truth and faithfulness, keeping and performing unto them, that which he graciously promised. So likewise Psal.31.2.]

18. To them that keep his Covenant, and that mind his commandment to do them.

19. The LORD hath established his Throne in the Heavens, and his Kingdom swayeth over all.

20. Praise the LORD his Angels, ye mighty worthies, Champions. [Heb. Ye mighty ones of strength.]

21. Praise the LORD all his Hoasts, yee his Ministers; [The Angels are called Gods Ministers, Psalms 104:4. Dan.7.10. which Title is likewise given to men, Isai.61.6.] which do his pleasure.

22. Praise the LORD all his works in all places of his Dominion: praise the LORD, my soul.