PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:1. This is a hymn of praise, celebrating the Lord’s abundant goodness and love for his people. It is the first of four psalms reflecting on God’s dealings with his people from creation to exile. Psalms 103:1 introduces the sequence by recalling that Israel’s survival i... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:3 HEALS often refers to curing someone from a physical sickness, but it can also be used as a metaphor for restoring the moral and spiritual life (e.g., Isaiah 6:10; Isaiah 53:5; Jeremiah 3:22; Hosea 14:4). Since it is in parallel with FORGIVES, the metaphorical use may be i... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:6 RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE are the blessings of protection from those who might cause harm (see Psalms 33:5; Psalms 97:2; Deuteronomy 16:18; Isaiah 5:7). The Lord extends these blessings to all who are OPPRESSED, but especially to his own people (see... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:7 The Lord’s ACTS reveal his enduring commitment to his people. That is, they express his WAYS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:8 The language of these verses (SLOW TO ANGER, STEADFAST LOVE, SHOWS COMPASSION) recalls Exodus 34:6, where the Lord proclaims his own name. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:14 HE KNOWS OUR FRAME. The Lord REMEMBERS the limitations of the human perspective (DUST is not eternal or all-knowing). He is patient with his people. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:17 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD IS FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING. See Psalms 25:6; Psalms 100:5. THOSE WHO FEAR HIM (compare Psalms 103:11, Psalms 103:13) are the same as THOSE WHO KEEP HIS COVENANT AND REMEMBER TO DO HIS COMMANDMENTS. They are the faithful who believe [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 103:20 After listing all these benefits, the psalm returns to urging various creatures to BLESS THE LORD, echoing vv. Psalms 103:1. He addresses the ANGELS and MIGHTY ONES and even the material creation (ALL HIS WORKS, IN ALL PLACES OF HIS DOMINION; compare v. Psalms 103:19). Th... [ Continue Reading ]