103 1 He provoketh all to praise the Lord, which hath pardoned his sins, delivered him from destruction and given him sufficient of all good things. 10 Then he addeth the tender mercies of God, which he showeth like a most tender Father toward his children. 14 The frailty of man’s life. 20 An exhortation to man and Angels to praise the Lord.

A Psalm of David.

My soul, [a]praise thou the Lord, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.

My soul, praise thou the Lord, and forget not all his benefits.

Which [b]forgiveth all thine iniquity, and healeth all thine infirmities.

Which redeemeth thy life from the [c]grave; and crowneth thee with mercy and compassions.

Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things: and thy [d]youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment to all that are oppressed.

He made his ways known unto [e]Moses, and his works unto the children of Israel.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness.

He will not always [f]chide, neither keep his anger forever.

10 He hath not [g]dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as [h]the East is from the West: so far hath he removed our sins 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 whereof we be made: he remembereth that we are but dust.

15 The days of [i]man are as grass: as a flower of the field, so flourisheth he.

16 For the wind goeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the loving kindness of the Lord endureth forever and ever upon them that fear him, and his [j]righteousness upon children’s children,

18 Unto them that keep his [k]covenant, and think upon his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Praise the Lord, ye [l]his Angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandment in obeying the voice of his word.

21 Praise the Lord all ye his hosts, ye his servants that do his pleasure.

22 Praise the Lord all ye his works, in all places of his dominion: my soul, praise thou the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 103:1 He wakeneth his dullness to praise God, showing that both understanding and affections, mind and heart are too little to set forth his praise.
  2. Psalm 103:3 That is, the beginning and chiefest of all benefits, remission of sin.
  3. Psalm 103:4 For before that we have remission of our sins, we are as dead men in the grave.
  4. Psalm 103:5 As the eagle, when her beak overgroweth, sucketh blood, and so is renewed in strength, even so God miraculously giveth strength to his Church above all man’s expectation.
  5. Psalm 103:7 As to his chief minister, and next to his people.
  6. Psalm 103:9 He showeth first his severe judgment, but so soon as the sinner is humbled, he received him to mercy.
  7. Psalm 103:10 Who have proved by continual experience, that his mercy hath ever prevailed against our offences.
  8. Psalm 103:12 As great as the world is, so full is it of signs of God’s mercies toward his faithful, when he hath removed their sins.
  9. Psalm 103:15 He declareth that man hath nothing in himself to move God to mercy, but only the confession of his infirmity and misery.
  10. Psalm 103:17 His just and faithful keeping of his promise.
  11. Psalm 103:18 To whom he giveth grace to fear him, and to obey his word.
  12. Psalm 103:20 In that that we, which naturally are slow to praise God, exhort the Angels, who willingly do it, we stir up ourselves to consider our duty, and awake out of our sluggishness.

Psalm 103

Of David.

Praise the Lord,(A) my soul;(B)
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.(C)
Praise the Lord,(D) my soul,
    and forget not(E) all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins(F)
    and heals(G) all your diseases,
who redeems your life(H) from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,(I)
who satisfies(J) your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed(K) like the eagle’s.(L)

The Lord works righteousness(M)
    and justice for all the oppressed.(N)

He made known(O) his ways(P) to Moses,
    his deeds(Q) to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,(R)
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;(S)
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve(T)
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love(U) for those who fear him;(V)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions(W) from us.

13 As a father has compassion(X) on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,(Y)
    he remembers that we are dust.(Z)
15 The life of mortals is like grass,(AA)
    they flourish like a flower(AB) of the field;
16 the wind blows(AC) over it and it is gone,
    and its place(AD) remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children(AE)
18 with those who keep his covenant(AF)
    and remember(AG) to obey his precepts.(AH)

19 The Lord has established his throne(AI) in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules(AJ) over all.

20 Praise the Lord,(AK) you his angels,(AL)
    you mighty ones(AM) who do his bidding,(AN)
    who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,(AO)
    you his servants(AP) who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works(AQ)
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.(AR)