Praise the LORD, My Soul
Psalm 103 summary: what it means
Psalm 103 starts with the writer speaking to himself. He tells his own soul to praise the LORD and not forget his benefits, then lists them: forgiveness of all sins, healing of all diseases, rescue from destruction, a crown of loving kindness, and good things that renew youth like the eagle's. The psalm then widens to God's justice for the oppressed and his ways made known to Moses.
The centre is a portrait of mercy. God is slow to anger, does not repay sins as they deserve, removes them as far as east from west, and has compassion like a father because he knows people are dust. Human life passes like grass, but his loving kindness is everlasting. The psalm ends by calling angels, armies and all his works to praise, then returns to my soul.
Psalm 103: Praise the LORD, My Soul
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-103
Psalm 103 commentary: explained verse by verse
Praise the LORD, my soul!All that is within me, praise his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
The psalm opens with the writer addressing his own soul. He calls all that is within him to praise God's holy name, so the praise is meant to be whole rather than partial. The KJV words it Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Also read Psalm 146:1-2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Philippians 1:9, Colossians 3:16
Praise the LORD, my soul,and don’t forget all his benefits,
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
The instruction is repeated with a warning attached: don't forget all his benefits. The verses that follow are the list of what not to forget.
Also read Deuteronomy 8:2-4, Psalm 105:5, Deuteronomy 8:10-14, Luke 17:15-18
who forgives all your sins,who heals all your diseases,
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
The first two benefits are forgiveness of all sins and healing of all diseases. The word all appears in both lines.
Also read 2 Samuel 12:13, Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 107:17-22
who redeems your life from destruction,who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Two more benefits follow. God redeems life from destruction and crowns it with loving kindness and tender mercies, so the picture moves from rescue to honour.
Also read Psalm 21:3, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 5:9, Psalm 34:22
who satisfies your desire with good things,so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The list ends with satisfaction. God fills desire with good things, so that youth is renewed like the eagle's, an image of strength coming back.
Also read Psalm 107:9, Psalm 115:15-16, Psalm 23:5, Hosea 2:15
The LORD executes righteous acts,and justice for all who are oppressed.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
The psalm turns from one person to many. The LORD does righteous acts and brings justice for all who are oppressed.
Also read Proverbs 23:10, Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Isaiah 58:6-7, Ezekiel 22:7
He made known his ways to Moses,his deeds to the children of Israel.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
God's character is shown in history. He made his ways known to Moses and his deeds to the children of Israel, which grounds the praise in what he has done.
Also read Psalm 78:11, Deuteronomy 34:10, Psalm 105:26-45, Psalm 147:19
The LORD is merciful and gracious,slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
This verse describes God in four phrases: merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness. The verses that follow show what that means for sin.
Also read Isaiah 55:7, Nehemiah 9:17, Romans 5:20-21, Psalm 86:5
He will not always accuse;neither will he stay angry forever.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
This verse follows directly from verse 8, where the LORD is slow to anger. It says his accusing and his anger have a limit: he will not always accuse, and he will not stay angry forever. The KJV reads He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Also read Jeremiah 3:12, Isaiah 57:16, Psalm 30:5, Micah 7:18-19
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,nor repaid us for our iniquities.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Also read Nehemiah 9:31, Job 11:6, Ezra 9:13, Habakkuk 3:2
For as the heavens are high above the earth,so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Also read Luke 1:50, Psalm 57:10, Ephesians 2:4-7, Proverbs 25:3
As far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Distance is the picture for forgiveness. As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed transgressions. The image is of a distance too great to measure.
Also read Psalm 50:1, Psalm 113:3, Jeremiah 31:34, Isaiah 38:17
Like a father has compassion on his children,so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
The comparison is a father's compassion for his children. God shows that kind of compassion to those who fear him. The KJV has Like as a father pitieth his children.
Also read Malachi 3:16-17, Luke 15:21-22, Hebrews 12:5-11, Jeremiah 31:9
For he knows how we are made.He remembers that we are dust.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
The reason for God's compassion is his knowledge of human weakness. He knows how people are made and remembers that they are dust, so his compassion takes their frailty into account.
Also read Job 7:5-7, Genesis 3:19, Isaiah 29:16, Ecclesiastes 12:7
As for man, his days are like grass.As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Human life is compared to grass and to a flower of the field. It flourishes, but verse 16 adds that the wind passes over it and it is gone. Verse 17 sets God's lasting loving kindness against it.
Also read Isaiah 51:12, Isaiah 28:4, Psalm 90:5-6, 1 Peter 1:24
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone.Its place remembers it no more.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Also read Genesis 5:24, Job 8:18-19, Job 14:10, Job 7:6-10
But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him,his righteousness to children’s children,
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Also read Psalm 118:1, Romans 1:17, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 22:31
to those who keep his covenant,to those who remember to obey his precepts.
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Also read Exodus 24:8, Luke 1:6, Hebrews 8:6-13, Deuteronomy 4:23
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens.His kingdom rules over all.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Also read Hebrews 8:1, Isaiah 66:1, Psalm 2:4, 1 Peter 3:22
Praise the LORD, you angels of his,who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word,obeying the voice of his word.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
The call to praise now reaches beyond the writer. Angels, mighty in strength and obedient to God's word, are told to praise the LORD.
Also read Matthew 26:53, Joel 2:11, Isaiah 6:2, 2 Kings 19:35
Praise the LORD, all you armies of his,you servants of his, who do his pleasure.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Also read 1 Kings 22:19, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, Psalm 33:6, Genesis 32:2
Praise the LORD, all you works of his,in all places of his dominion.Praise the LORD, my soul!
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
The final call includes all God's works in every place he rules. Then the psalm ends where it began, with the writer telling his own soul to praise the LORD.
Also read Isaiah 44:23, Isaiah 42:10-12, Psalm 150:6, Isaiah 43:20
A prayer from Psalm 103
LORD, I want to praise you with all that is within me, and not forget your benefits. You forgive my sins, you redeem my life from destruction, and you crown me with loving kindness and tender mercies. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger. You do not stay angry forever, and you have not dealt with me according to my sins. As far as the east is from the west, you remove my wrongs from me. Like a father, you have compassion, for you remember that I am dust. My days are like grass, but your loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting. Praise the LORD, my soul. Amen.
Psalm 103 Bible study questions
- In verses 3 to 5, the psalm lists the LORD's benefits. Which actions does it name, and what do they have in common?
- In verses 11 to 13, the psalm uses three comparisons: the heavens, east and west, and a father. What does each one describe?
- Verse 2 tells the soul not to forget all his benefits. Why might a person need to tell themselves to remember?
- Verse 14 says God remembers that we are dust. How does that line sit with you when you think about your own limits?
- Psalm 145:8 also calls the LORD gracious, merciful and slow to anger. How does that verse compare with Psalm 103:8?
Questions about Psalm 103
What does Psalm 103 mean?
It is a song of praise for God's benefits, above all his forgiveness. It describes him as merciful, slow to anger and compassionate like a father, and calls all creation to praise him.
Who wrote Psalm 103?
The heading attributes it to David. It does not give an occasion.
What are the benefits in Psalm 103:3-5?
Forgiveness of all sins, healing of all diseases, redemption from destruction, a crown of loving kindness and tender mercies, and good things that renew youth like the eagle's.
What does Psalm 103:12 mean?
It uses the distance between east and west to picture how completely God removes sins. The KJV reads: As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
What does Psalm 103:13 say in the KJV?
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
What does Psalm 103:14 mean?
It gives the reason for God's compassion: he knows how people are made and remembers that they are dust.
Psalm 103 KJV: the King James Version
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.1
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:2
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;3
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;4
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.5
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.6
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.7
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.8
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.9
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.10
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.11
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.12
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.13
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.14
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.15
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.16
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;17
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.18
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.19
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.20
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.21
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.22
Psalm 103 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
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1 לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ בָּרֲכִ֣י נַ֭פְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְכָל־קְ֝רָבַ֗י אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם קָדְשֽׁוֹ׃
2 בָּרֲכִ֣י נַ֭פְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְאַל־תִּ֝שְׁכְּחִ֗י כָּל־גְּמוּלָֽיו׃
3 הַסֹּלֵ֥חַ לְכָל־עֲוֺנֵ֑כִי הָ֝רֹפֵ֗א לְכָל־תַּחֲלֻאָֽיְכִי ׃
4 הַגּוֹאֵ֣ל מִשַּׁ֣חַת חַיָּ֑יְכִי הַֽ֝מְעַטְּרֵ֗כִי חֶ֣סֶד וְרַחֲמִֽים׃
5 הַמַּשְׂבִּ֣יַע בַּטּ֣וֹב עֶדְיֵ֑ךְ תִּתְחַדֵּ֖שׁ כַּנֶּ֣שֶׁר נְעוּרָֽיְכִי׃
6 עֹשֵׂ֣ה צְדָק֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה וּ֝מִשְׁפָּטִ֗ים לְכָל־עֲשׁוּקִֽים׃
7 יוֹדִ֣יעַ דְּרָכָ֣יו לְמֹשֶׁ֑ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל עֲלִילֽוֹתָיו׃
8 רַח֣וּם וְחַנּ֣וּן יְהוָ֑ה אֶ֖רֶךְ אַפַּ֣יִם וְרַב־חָֽסֶד׃
9 לֹֽא־לָנֶ֥צַח יָרִ֑יב וְלֹ֖א לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִטּֽוֹר׃
10 לֹ֣א כַ֭חֲטָאֵינוּ עָ֣שָׂה לָ֑נוּ וְלֹ֥א כַ֝עֲוֺנֹתֵ֗ינוּ גָּמַ֥ל עָלֵֽינוּ׃
11 כִּ֤י כִגְבֹ֣הַּ שָׁ֭מַיִם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ גָּבַ֥ר חַ֝סְדּ֗וֹ עַל־יְרֵאָֽיו׃
12 כִּרְחֹ֣ק מִ֭זְרָח מִֽמַּֽעֲרָ֑ב הִֽרְחִ֥יק מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ אֶת־פְּשָׁעֵֽינוּ׃
13 כְּרַחֵ֣ם אָ֭ב עַל־בָּנִ֑ים רִחַ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה עַל־יְרֵאָֽיו׃
14 כִּי־ה֖וּא יָדַ֣ע יִצְרֵ֑נוּ זָ֝כ֗וּר כִּי־עָפָ֥ר אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃
15 אֱ֭נוֹשׁ כֶּחָצִ֣יר יָמָ֑יו כְּצִ֥יץ הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה כֵּ֣ן יָצִֽיץ׃
16 כִּ֤י ר֣וּחַ עָֽבְרָה־בּ֣וֹ וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וְלֹא־יַכִּירֶ֖נּוּ ע֣וֹד מְקוֹמֽוֹ׃
17 וְחֶ֤סֶד יְהוָ֨ה ׀ מֵעוֹלָ֣ם וְעַד־ע֭וֹלָם עַל־יְרֵאָ֑יו וְ֝צִדְקָת֗וֹ לִבְנֵ֥י בָנִֽים׃
18 לְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י בְרִית֑וֹ וּלְזֹכְרֵ֥י פִ֝קֻּדָ֗יו לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם׃
19 יְֽהוָ֗ה בַּ֭שָּׁמַיִם הֵכִ֣ין כִּסְא֑וֹ וּ֝מַלְכוּת֗וֹ בַּכֹּ֥ל מָשָֽׁלָה׃
20 בָּרֲכ֥וּ יְהוָ֗ה מַלְאָ֫כָ֥יו גִּבֹּ֣רֵי כֹ֭חַ עֹשֵׂ֣י דְבָר֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗עַ בְּק֣וֹל דְּבָרֽוֹ׃
21 בָּרֲכ֣וּ יְ֭הוָה כָּל־צְבָאָ֑יו מְ֝שָׁרְתָ֗יו עֹשֵׂ֥י רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃
22 בָּרֲכ֤וּ יְהוָ֨ה ׀ כָּֽל־מַעֲשָׂ֗יו בְּכָל־מְקֹמ֥וֹת מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֑וֹ בָּרֲכִ֥י נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י אֶת־יְהוָֽה׃
Psalm 103 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 102 there.
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1 For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.
3 Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
7 He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.
8 The ford is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
13 As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:
14 For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:
15 Man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
16 For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children’s children,
18 To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.
20 Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
21 Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Psalm 103 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 102.
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1 Ipsi David. Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et omnia quæ intra me sunt nomini sancto ejus.
2 Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus.
3 Qui propitiatur omnibus iniquitatibus tuis; qui sanat omnes infirmitates tuas:
4 qui redimit de interitu vitam tuam; qui coronat te in misericordia et miserationibus:
5 qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum; renovabitur ut aquilæ juventus tua:
6 faciens misericordias Dominus, et judicium omnibus injuriam patientibus.
7 Notas fecit vias suas Moysi; filiis Israël voluntates suas.
8 Miserator et misericors Dominus: longanimis, et multum misericors.
9 Non in perpetuum irascetur, neque in æternum comminabitur.
10 Non secundum peccata nostra fecit nobis, neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuit nobis.
11 Quoniam secundum altitudinem cæli a terra, corroboravit misericordiam suam super timentes se;
12 quantum distat ortus ab occidente, longe fecit a nobis iniquitates nostras.
13 Quomodo miseretur pater filiorum, misertus est Dominus timentibus se.
14 Quoniam ipse cognovit figmentum nostrum; recordatus est quoniam pulvis sumus.
15 Homo, sicut fœnum dies ejus; tamquam flos agri, sic efflorebit:
16 quoniam spiritus pertransibit in illo, et non subsistet, et non cognoscet amplius locum suum.
17 Misericordia autem Domini ab æterno, et usque in æternum super timentes eum. Et justitia illius in filios filiorum,
18 his qui servant testamentum ejus, et memores sunt mandatorum ipsius ad faciendum ea.
19 Dominus in cælo paravit sedem suam, et regnum ipsius omnibus dominabitur.
20 Benedicite Domino, omnes angeli ejus: potentes virtute, facientes verbum illius, ad audiendam vocem sermonum ejus.
21 Benedicite Domino, omnes virtutes ejus; ministri ejus, qui facitis voluntatem ejus.
22 Benedicite Domino, omnia opera ejus: in omni loco dominationis ejus, benedic, anima mea, Domino.
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Psalm 103 at a glance
| Verses | 22 |
| Heading in the text | By David. |
| Attributed to | The heading attributes it to David. |
| Type | Praise and Thanksgiving |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 102 |
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Psalm 103 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 103 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 103 belongs
Psalms of DavidBook 4 of the Psalms
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source