Psalms 103:18

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. -Our grass-like frailty and mortality would cause us to despair, but that we have sure hope in Yahweh's everlasting mercy to those that fear Him, as well those of the latest generation as those of the earliest. Compare Moses' words, Psalms 90:1, from which this passage is derived. Compare a similar contrast between man's grass-like frailty and God's eternal word, Isaiah 40:6. Here it is God's everlasting mercy. Verse 15. AS FOR MAN, HIS DAYS ARE AS GRASS. "Man" - literally, mortal and miserable man: Hebrew, 'ªnowsh (H582), from a root [ 'aanash ...

Farther, as nothing is more easy than for hypocrites to flatter themselves under a false pretext, that they are in favor with God, or for degenerate children groundlessly to apply to themselves the promises made to their fathers, it is again stated, by way of exception, in the 18th verse, that God is merciful only to _those who, _on their part, _keep his covenant, _which the unbelieving make of none effect by their wickedness. The _keeping, _or _observing of the covenant, _which is here put instead of the _fear of God, _mentioned in the preceding verse, is worthy of notice; for thus David intimates that none are the true worshippers of God but those who reverently obey his Word. Very far from this are the Papists, who, thinking themselves equal to the angels in holiness, nevertheless shake off the yoke of God, like wild beasts, by trampling under foot his Holy Word. David, therefore, rig...

15-18 How short is man's life, and uncertain! The flower of the garden is commonly more choice, and will last the longer, for being sheltered by the garden-wall, and the gardener's care; but the flower of the field, to which life is here compared, is not only withering in itself, but exposed to the cold blasts, and liable to be cropt and trod on by the beasts of the field. Such is man. God considers this, and pities him; let him consider it himself. God's mercy is better than life, for it will outlive it. His righteousness, the truth of his promise, shall be unto children's children, who tread in the footsteps of their forefathers' piety. Then shall mercy be preserved to them....

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 to pour out his mercy through all generations....

TO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT - To such as adhere to the arrangements of his covenant, or who are faithful on their part. God will be faithful to his part of the covenant; and where there is fidelity on the part of his people, the blessings implied in the covenant will be conferred on them and on their children. The promise is ample, and the fidelity of God is certain, but still it is true that in those promises, and in that fidelity, it is implied that his people on their part must be faithful also, or the blessings will not be bestowed. There are no promises of blessings to the unfaithful, nor have those who are unfaithful any reason to hope that they or theirs will be partakers of the blessings of the covenant of mercy. Our only hope that we or our children will be partakers of the blessings of the covenant is to be found in the fact that we ourselves are faithful to God. And to those...

EXPOSITION A PSALM of joy and thanksgiving for God's manifold mercies, especially for his loving kindness in forgiving sin and transgression (Psalms 103:3, Psalms 103:8, Psalms 103:17) passing into adoration of him upon his heavenly throne (Psalms 103:19), and a call on all creation to praise him (Psalms 103:20-19). The "title" assigns the psalm to David, and this view of its authorship is taken by Hengstenberg and Professor Alexander. But other critics see in "certain Aramaic terminations" indications o

TO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT,.... The covenant of grace, which is peculiarly the Lord's covenant, as distinct from man's; and which he keeps himself, and is ever mindful of it. This he makes known to his people at conversion; his secret is with them, and he shows them his covenant; the blessings and promises of it; their interest in them, and in himself, as their covenant God: which they "observe" c, as the word here used signifies; and observing it, they lay hold upon it by faith, as belonging to them; and laying hold upon it, they "keep" it as their own, and keep it fast, and will not part with their interest in it for all the world. AND TO THOSE THAT REMEMBER HIS COMMANDMENTS TO DO THEM; some read them and hear them, but forget them, at least to do them: these are like a man that beholds his face in a glass, and forgets what manner of man he is; so James compares one that is a forget...

Psalms 103:1. _Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name._ Come, my heart, be down in the dumps no longer, take thy harp from the willows, tune its strings, and begin to pour forth its music to the praise of love divine. Psalms 103:2. _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;_ This is a better crown than any emperor ever wore, unless he also was a child of God. Priceless gems and jewels rare adorn this wondrous coronet; «who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.»...

Psalms 103 The Praise of Israel _ 1. The benefits of full salvation (Psalms 103:1)_ 2. Merciful and gracious (Psalms 103:8) 3. His throne and His kingdom (Psalms 103:19) This is the well-beloved Psalm, because God's people love it for its precious and beautiful expressions, telling out the full salvation of our Saviour Lord and the gracious compassion which He manifests towards His own. But we must not overlook the prophetic aspect, which but few believers have recognized. It is really the hymn of Praise which will be sung by redeemed and restored Israel. Theirs will be a whole-souled praise. The

CIII. A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING FOR YAHWEH'S PARDONING LOVE. The main theme is stated in Psalms 103:6. Yahweh is just, He rights the oppressed, but above all He is considerate and ready to pardon sin. He acts like a father to His children. PSALMS 103:1. The poet speaks from his own experience. He calls on his own soul to bless Yahweh. Here the singular is used: not so in Psalms 103:6 (see above). Psalms 103:15. A man's life is short, but Yahweh continues His kindness to a pious man's descendants. Psalms 103: