PSALM CIII _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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:2. _FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS_] Call them into recollection; particularize the chief of them; and here record them for an everlasting memorial.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:3. _WHO FORGIVETH_] The benefits are the following, 1. Forgiveness of sin. 2. Restoration of health: "Who healeth all thy diseases.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:4. _WHO REDEEMETH_] 3. Preservation from destruction. הגואל _haggoel_, properly, _redemption of life by the kinsman_; possibly looking forward, in the spirit of prophecy, to him who became partaker of our flesh and blood, that he might have the right to redeem our souls from death... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:5. _WHO SATISFIETH THY MOUTH_] 5. For continual communications of spiritual and temporal good; so that the vigour of his mind was constantly supported and increased. _THY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE'S._] There is such a vast variety of the eagle, or genus _Falco_, that it is n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:6. _THE LORD EXECUTETH_] This shall be done because the Lord will avenge his elect who have cried unto him day and night for his deliverance: "He is slow to anger;" but he will punish. "He is plenteous in mercy," and he will save. The persevering sinner shall be destroyed; the humbl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:7. _HE MADE KNOWN HIS WAYS UNTO MOSES_] From the earliest part of our history he has been our protector and defence. His wonderful _acts_ in behalf of the _children of Israel_ are so many _proofs_ of his _mercy_, power, and goodness; and so many _reasons_ why _we_ should now trust i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:8. _THE LORD IS MERCIFUL_] Psalms 86:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:9. _HE WILL NOT ALWAYS CHIDE_] He will not contend with us continually. He has often reproved, often punished us; but his mercy ever rejoiced over judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:10. _HE HAS NOT DEALT UNITY US AFTER OUR SINS_] He has never apportioned our _punishment to_ our _sins_, nor has he regulated the exercise of his _mercy_ by our merits.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:11. _FOR AS THE HEAVEN IS HIGH ABOVE THE EARTH_] Great and provoking as our crimes may have been, yet his mercies have, in their magnitude and number, surpassed these, as far as the heavens are elevated beyond the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:12. _AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST_] As the east and the west can never meet in one point, but be for ever at the same distance from each other, so our sins and their decreed punishment are removed to an eternal distance by his mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:13. _LIKE AS A FATHER PITIETH HIS CHILDREN_] This is a very emphatic verse, and may be thus translated: "As the tender compassions of a father towards his children; so the tender compassions of Jehovah towards them that fear him." Nothing can place the tenderness and concern of God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:14. _FOR HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME_] יצרנו _yitsrenu_, "our formation;" the _manner_ in which we are constructed, and the _materials_ of which we are made. He knows we cannot contend with him, and if he uses his power against us, we must be crushed to destruction. In all his conduct tow... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:15. _HIS DAYS ARE AS GRASS_] Psalms 90:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:16. _THE WIND PASSETH OVER IT_] Referring perhaps to some blasting pestilential wind.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:17. _THE MERCY OF THE LORD IS FROM EVERLASTING TO_ _EVERLASTING_] חסד _chesed_ signifies more particularly the _exuberant goodness of God_. This is an attribute of his nature, and must be from everlasting to everlasting; and hence, his righteousness (צדקת _tsidketh_) - his merciful... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:18. _TO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT_] The spirit of which was, _I will be your GOD; WE will be thy PEOPLE_. From the covenant came the _commandments_, and their obligation _to remember and do_ _them_; and on such _keepers_ of the covenant, and _doers_ of the commandments, God promises... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:19. _THE LORD HATH PREPARED HIS THRONE IN THE HEAVENS_] There he is Sovereign, but his dominion extends equally over all the earth; for his _kingdom _- regal government, influence, and sway, _ruleth over all_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:20. _BLESS THE LORD, YE HIS ANGELS_] Every person who has a sense of God's goodness to his soul feels his own powers inadequate to the praise which he ought to offer; and therefore naturally calls upon the holiest of men, and the supreme angels, to assist him in this work. _THAT EX... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:21. _ALL YE HIS HOSTS_; YE _MINISTERS OF HIS_] We know almost nothing of the economy of the heavenly host; and, therefore, cannot tell what is the difference between _angels, mighty powers,_ _hosts_, and _ministers_ who do his pleasure. All owe their being and all its blessings to G... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 103:22. _BLESS THE LORD, ALL HIS WORKS_] Let every thing he has done be so considered as to show forth his praise. _BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL._] Let _me_ never forget my obligation to his mercy; for with tender mercies and loving-kindness has he crowned me. I will therefore be thankful... [ Continue Reading ]