Christianity
Psalms 103Bless the LORD, O My Soul
Summary
Psalm 103, attributed to David, calls the psalmist's own soul to bless the LORD and forget none of his benefits: he forgives iniquities, heals diseases, redeems life and renews youth like the eagle's. It describes God as merciful and gracious, slow to anger, removing transgressions as far as the east is from the west and pitying his children as a father does. Human days are like grass, but God's mercy is everlasting. It ends by calling angels, hosts and all his works to bless him.
Key verse
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalms 103:12
Themes
- Gratitude
- Forgiveness
- Fatherly Compassion
- Human Frailty
- Universal Praise
Text
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Islam
Surah Az-Zumar (39): Despair Not of God's MercyQuran 39:53 tells those who have wronged themselves not to despair of the mercy of Allah, who forgives all sins. Like Psalm 103 it stresses the breadth of divine forgiveness, framed there as a call to turn back to God.
Christianity
Luke 15: The Father Runs to His SonJesus' parable of the father who runs to embrace his returning son (Luke 15:20) gives story form to the fatherly pity described in Psalm 103:13.
Questions about Psalms 103
What are the benefits listed in Psalm 103?
Verses 3 to 5 list forgiving all iniquities, healing all diseases, redeeming life from destruction, crowning with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and satisfying the mouth with good things so that youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Which hymn is based on Psalm 103?
Henry Francis Lyte's Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, published in 1834, is a well-known paraphrase of Psalm 103.