4 Who redeemeth H1350 thy life H2416 from destruction; H7845 who crowneth H5849 thee with lovingkindness H2617 and tender mercies; H7356
He is chastened H3198 also with pain H4341 upon his bed, H4904 and the multitude H7230 H7379 of his bones H6106 with strong H386 pain: So that his life H2416 abhorreth H2092 bread, H3899 and his soul H5315 dainty H8378 meat. H3978 His flesh H1320 is consumed away, H3615 that it cannot be seen; H7210 and his bones H6106 that were not seen H7200 stick out. H8192 H8205 Yea, his soul H5315 draweth near H7126 unto the grave, H7845 and his life H2416 to the destroyers. H4191 If there H3426 be a messenger H4397 with him, an interpreter, H3887 one H259 among a thousand, H505 to shew H5046 unto man H120 his uprightness: H3476 Then he is gracious H2603 unto him, and saith, H559 Deliver H6308 him from going down H3381 to the pit: H7845 I have found H4672 a ransom. H3724 His flesh H1320 shall be fresher H7375 than a child's: H5290 he shall return H7725 to the days H3117 of his youth: H5934 He shall pray H6279 unto God, H433 and he will be favourable H7521 unto him: and he shall see H7200 his face H6440 with joy: H8643 for he will render H7725 unto man H582 his righteousness. H6666 He looketh H7789 upon men, H582 and if any say, H559 I have sinned, H2398 and perverted H5753 that which was right, H3477 and it profited H7737 me not; He will deliver H6299 his soul H5315 from going H5674 into the pit, H7845 and his life H2416 shall see H7200 the light. H216 Lo, all these things worketh H6466 God H410 oftentimes H6471 H7969 with man, H1397 To bring back H7725 his soul H5315 from the pit, H7845 to be enlightened H215 with the light H216 of the living. H2416
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 103
Commentary on Psalms 103 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 103
Ps 103:1-22. A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God's gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man's frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song.
1. Bless, &c.—when God is the object, praise.
my soul—myself (Ps 3:3; 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.
all … within me—(De 6:5).
his holy name—(Ps 5:11), His complete moral perfections.
2. forget not all—not any, none of His benefits.
3. diseases—as penal inflictions (De 29:22; 2Ch 21:19).
4. redeemeth—Cost is implied.
destruction—literally, "pit of corruption" (Ps 16:10).
crowneth—or, "adorneth" (Ps 65:11).
tender mercies—compassions (compare Ps 25:6; 40:11).
5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Ps 92:14; compare Isa 40:31).
6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
7. ways—of providence, &c., as usual (Ps 25:4; 67:2).
acts—literally, "wonders" (Ps 7:11; 78:17).
8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Ex 34:6).
keep (anger)—in Le 19:18, bear a grudge (Jer 3:5, 12).
11. great—efficient.
12. removed … from us—so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
13. pitieth—literally, "has compassion on."
14. he—"who formed," Ps 94:9.
knoweth our frame—literally, "our form."
we are dust—made of and tending to it (Ge 2:7).
15, 16. So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it.
it is gone—literally, "it is not."
know it no more—no more recognize him (Ps 90:6; Isa 40:6-8).
17, 18. For similar contrast compare Ps 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.
18. such … covenant—limits the general terms preceding.
righteousness—as usual (Ps 7:17; 31:1).
19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Ps 11:4; 47:8).
20-22. do his commandments … word—or, literally, "so as to hearken," &c., that is, their acts of obedience are prompt, so that they are ever ready to hear, and know, and follow implicitly His declared will (compare De 26:17; Lu 1:19).
21. ye his hosts—myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [Ps 103:20], denoting multitudes also.
22. all his works—creatures of every sort, everywhere.