Psalm 103
Thanksgiving for God’s mercy
A Psalm of David.
Psalm 103: This hymn is one of the greatest praise psalms in the entire collection. The first section (verses 1-5), finds the psalmist expressing his intention to praise God for all “his benefits” (verse 2). Then with five verbs he enumerates specifically these benefits: “who forgiveth … who healeth” (verse 3), “who redeemeth … who crowneth” (verse 4),” who satisfieth” (verse 5). All of these actions speak of spiritual blessings, though physical benefits may be included. The next section (verses 6-19), which speaks of God’s character, contains a veritable catalog of the benevolent attributes of God: “merciful, gracious, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy” (verse 8). These are amply illustrated in an attempt to convey their vastness: the greatness of His mercy (“as far as the east is from the west”; verse 12), and the greatness of His compassion (“as a father pitieth his children”; verse 13). Finally, in the conclusion the psalmist returns to the call that he gave himself at the outset, but this time he widens it to include all created beings and works (verses 20-22).
Verses 1-22: (Psalms 103 and 104), appear as an intentional pair designed to promote the blessing exaltation of God. This psalm represents a soliloquy in which David survey’s God’s goodness and encourages the angels and the works of God’s creation to join him in divine praise.
- A Call for Human Praise (103:1-19).
- Personally (103:1-5);
- Corporately (103:6-19).
- A Call for Creation’s Praise (103:20-22b).
- Angels (103:20-21);
- Works of Creation (103:22a-b).
III. A Refrain of Personal Praise (103:22c).
Verses 1-5: By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. Think of the provocation; it was sin, and yet pardoned: how many the provocations, yet all pardoned! God is still forgiving, as we are still sinning and repenting. The body finds the melancholy consequences of Adam’s offence, it is subject to many infirmities, and the soul also. Christ alone forgives all our sins; it is he alone who heals all our infirmities. And the person who finds his sin cured, has a well-grounded assurance that it is forgiven. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, they may then be said to return to the days of their youth (Job 33:25).
Psalm 103:1 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.”
The word “bless,” as applied to God, means to praise, implying always a strong affection for him as well as a sense of gratitude. As used with reference to people, the word implies a “wish” that they may be blessed or happy, accompanied often with a prayer that they may be so. Such is the purport of the “blessing” addressed to a congregation of worshippers (compare Num. 6:23-27). The word “soul” here is equivalent to mind or heart. My mental and moral powers, as capable of understanding and appreciating his favors. The soul of man was “made” to praise and bless God; to enjoy his friendship; to delight in his favor; to contemplate his perfections. It can never be employed in a more appropriate or a more elevated act than when engaged in his praise.
“And all that is within me”: All my powers and faculties; all that can be employed in his praise: the heart, the will, the affections, the emotions. The idea is, that God is worthy of all the praise and adoration which the entire man can render. No one of his faculties or powers should be exempt from the duty and the privilege of praise.
“Bless the Lord” (compare 103:2, 22; 104:1, 35).
This Psalm of David is a praise Psalm beyond compare. It lightens my heart to the extent that I must stop my writing and take out time to praise the LORD with all that is within me as well. His is not the flesh of mankind praising the Lord, but the inner most being. Even as I type these words of praise, there is an overwhelming presence of the LORD. My heart is singing within at praise of the Lord. David cannot say enough to express what is in his heart here. We have said before that the heart of man is what he is. David’s heart is overflowing with praise and adoration of the LORD here. We sing a little chorus of these verses here in our church. It would do all of us overwhelming good to stop and think of all the reasons we have for praising the LORD with everything within us. Of course, LORD here, is Jehovah.
Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”
“Forget not all his benefits”: These earthly gifts from God included:
(1) Forgiveness of sin (verse 3);
(2) Recovery from sickness (verse 3);
(3) Deliverance from death (verse 4);
(4) Abundant lovingkindness and mercy (verse 4); and
(5) Food to sustain life (verse 5).
He has done great things for everyone that ever lived. He breathed the breath of life into each of us, and gave us life. Jesus gave His body on the cross to give us a new everlasting life in Him. One of the most loving and wonderful things He has done, is making the earth and all that it contains for a dwelling place for mankind. If we had a hundred pages to expound on the wonderful things He has done for each of us, it would not be half enough. All that we are, or ever hope to be, is because He loved us enough to provide it for us. The gift of salvation is the greatest thing He has done for us. Because of His great love, we will spend eternity in heaven with Him.
Psalm 103:3 “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
God removes the barrier that separates people from Himself by canceling the debt of sin (“all thine iniquities”), so that anyone can enjoy a loving relationship with Him. God’s love removes a person’s sins as though they never existed (103:12).
“Diseases”: This is not a promise, but rather a testimony which should be understood in the light of (Deut. 32:39).
Most any physician in this land would tell you that he or she doctors you, but God heals you. Most of them will also tell you that they really do not understand why certain things help you to get well, they just do. Let’s look at an Old Testament promise to forgive sins.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Of course, this Scripture from Isaiah is really prophetic of the forgiveness of sins that Jesus has provided for all who will accept forgiveness. The Lord Jesus took our sin upon His body on the cross. In exchange for our sin, He gave us His righteousness.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Praise God! He paid the price for us. One of the greatest statements in all the Bible is this next one.
Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Psalm 103:4 “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;”
That is, who saves it from death when exposed to danger, or when attacked by disease. The word “destruction” or “corruption” here is equivalent to the grave, since it is there that the body returns to corruption (compare the notes at Psalm 16:10).
“Who crowneth thee”: The idea here is not merely that God is the source of these blessings, but that there is something of beauty, of dignity, of honor, as in the conferring of a crown or garland on anyone (compare the notes at Psalm 65:11).
“With loving-kindness and tender mercies”: Mercy and compassions. God showed mercy to him, evinced compassion, and these were so abundant that they might be said to be the crown or ornament of his life.
We realize that David was the Psalmist here, but he is looking prophetically to the forgiveness provided through Jesus Christ our Lord. David had been physically redeemed so many times from the very destruction that he mentions here. I believe he is really looking for the Redeemer who will come after, who will be the substitute for the sins of all the people.
1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.”
David was much like many of the Old Testament prophets who were looking for the Messiah. David was fully aware that it was the Lord who kept him from the jaws of the lion, and it was this same Lord who was with him as he slew Goliath. The mercy of God was with him in all these occasions, but he was looking ahead to the time when the mercy of God would be shown to all men through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
“Youth is renewed like the eagle’s”: The mysterious way of the long-lived eagle symbolized strength and speed (compare Exodus 19:4; Jer. 48:40), which also characterizes human youth. As a general rule, a person blessed of God will grow weak and slow down less rapidly than otherwise (compare Isa. 40:29-31, which uses the same language).
Possibly what is intended here by “satisfieth thy mouth”, is possibly speaking of the spirit of man which will be satisfied through the Lord. This at any rate, is an uplifting of the soul, which makes the receiver of this renewed like an eagle that soars to the highest through the sky. Many who have been truly blessed of God have experienced just this feeling. The Spirit refreshes the soul of mankind and makes them ready to minister.
Verses 6-14: Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. He has revealed himself and his grace to them. By his ways we may understand his precepts, the ways he requires us to walk in; and his promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion. How unlike are those to God, who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to cease! What would become of us, if God should deal so with us? The Scripture says a great deal of the mercy of God, and we all have experienced it. The father pities his children that are weak in knowledge, and teaches them; pities them when they are froward, and bears with them; pities them when they are sick, and comforts them; pities them when they are fallen, and helps them to rise; pities them when they have offended, and, upon their submission, forgives them; pities them when wronged, and rights them. Thus, the Lord pities those that fear him. See why he pities. He considers the frailty of our bodies, and the folly of our souls, how little we can do, how little we can bear; in all which his compassion appears.
Verses 6-19: The psalmist rehearses the attributes of God with which He blesses the saints.
Psalm 103:6 “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”
The major difference between divine love and what often passes for human love is “righteousness”. God’s love is in accord with His just character and holiness. His love hates what is wrong and embraces what is right.
The Lord, not only in the time of David, but even more so in the time of Jesus, came to help those who were oppressed. Jesus did not come to help those who did not need His help, He came to the lost, the sick, the demon possessed, the hungry, the blind, and in fact, He came to help the outcasts of society. The high and mighty felt as if they did not need Him. He came to those who needed a Savior. This same One who brought salvation for whosoever will, is also the Judge. It is Jesus that we will stand before on judgement day. He blesses, but if we refuse the blessings, He is the One who condemns to hell.
Verses 7-8: “His ways unto Moses”: Compare Moses’ request (Exodus 33:13), with God’s answer (Exodus 34:6-7).
Psalm 103:7 “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”
This is another ground of praise, that God had “revealed his will.” That this had been done in an indubitable manner to Moses; and that these revelations had been recorded by him for the instruction and guidance of his people. The word “ways” here means his laws. His methods of administration; the principles on which he governs mankind, and the conditions on which he will save people. There is no higher ground of gratitude to God than the fact that he has given a revelation to mankind.
“His acts unto the children of Israel”: His methods of doing things have been made known to them. And his acts, his interpositions, have been in their favor.
We do know that Moses communed with God on the mount. Moses was in His presence for 40 days and nights. The beautiful thing to me, is the fact that Moses’ head glowed with a light so bright when he came down the mountain, that he had to cover his head to keep from blinding the people. God filled Moses’ head with the knowledge of Godly things on the mountain. God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt through mighty signs and wonders. The children of Israel were without excuse, because they had seen the greatness of God over and over on this journey to the Promised Land.
Verses 8-10: God’s love for His people is like a father’s love for a wayward and rebellious son, waiting anxiously for him to return home (Luke 15:11-31).
Psalm 103:8 “The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
See the notes at (Psalm 78:38). The idea here is derived evidently from (Exodus 34:6-7), that great and glorious statement of God himself in regard to his own character. Our world is a different world under that statement from what it would be if that and kindred declarations had not been made. There is here a “progression” of thought; an “advance” on the previous statements. At first the psalmist referred to his own individual experience (Psalm 103:3-5); then he referred to the dealings of God toward the Hebrew people (Psalm 103:6-7); and now he rises to the general contemplation of his character as it relates to all mankind. It was a characteristic of God in respect to all, that he was kind, compassionate, and forbearing.
“Slow to anger”: That is, patient; not soon excited. Bearing much, and bearing it long (see James 5:11; compare Exodus 34:6-7).
“And plenteous in mercy”: Margin, “great of mercy.” The Hebrew word means “much,” or great;” and the idea is, that mercy is not manifested by him in small or stinted measure. It is rich; full; abundant; overflowing and free.
No one knew this better than the Israelites. God forgave them over and over. Prophetically they were the harlot wife in Hosea. They were unfaithful to God, and He forgave them over and over. David could speak from firsthand knowledge of the forgiveness of God as well. The Lord had forgiven him of his discretion with Bath-sheba. Even we should not be quick to point a finger at him. If it were not for the mercy and the forgiveness of God, you and I would be lost too. We see from the following Scripture, that it is the desire of God for all to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Psalm 103:9 “He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.”
“Not always chide”: There will be a final day of accountability, both at death (Luke 16:19-31), and the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15). The Genesis flood served as a stark preview of this truth (compare Gen. 6:3).
We think of God as a loving and forgiving God, but He will not always look the other way. Just as there was a time when God looked on men in the time of Noah and was sorry that He had even made them, He is sorry whenever we continue in sin. He waited a very long time, before He turned His hot anger and destroyed all but Noah’s family. He is patient, but there is an end to His patience. Chide, in this verse, means grapple or wrangle. God does not wrangle over sin. He has set an absolute, that there is no arguing with. He is tolerant, but someday will say, it is enough.
Psalm 103:10 “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.”
“Not dealt”: God’s great mercy (verse 11), and irreversible, complete justification (verse 12), have redemptively accomplished for us, by the death of Christ (compare 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9), what we ourselves could not do.
Above all other things that God is: He is a forgiving God. He has not dealt with any of us according to our sin, because we all are guilty of sin and deserve to be crucified. He accepted the body and blood of Jesus as full payment for all of our sin and iniquity. Salvation is a free gift.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:” “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
If I were to try to sum this lesson up, I would have to say that David has received total forgiveness for all of his sin. He is feeling overwhelming joy, knowing that all is well with his soul. He cannot find enough words in his meager vocabulary to express the gratitude that he has for this loving LORD. His heart is so full of praise to the LORD, that it seems it will burst. David is a changed man.
Let us take a look at what He has done for you and me, as well. The very first thing is, He furnished salvation free of charge to each of us. The very breath in our body is a gift from God. We could go on and on, but I think you have the picture. It is very little in return that we would praise Him with everything that is within us.
Psalm 103:11 “For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”
Which is the greatest distance known, or can be conceived of. The space between the heaven and the earth is seemingly almost infinite. And nothing can more illustrate the mercy of God, which reaches to the heavens, and is in heaven. Though this is but a faint representation of the largeness and abundance of it, and which indeed is boundless and infinite.
“So great is his mercy towards them that fear him”: Or, his mercy hath prevailed over them that fear him. As the waters of the flood prevailed upon the earth, and reached and overflowed the highest hills (Gen. 7:18). So abundant and superabundant is the grace of God over them that “fear” him. Which character is given, not as being the cause of their obtaining mercy, but as descriptive of the persons that partake of it. On whom it has such an effect, as to cause them to fear the Lord, and his goodness. And is mentioned to prevent obstinate and presumptuous sinners expecting it, or trusting to it.
This is saying that the mercies of God toward man are so great there is no way we can measure them. We do know the scientists have not been able to find the end of the universe, so that makes this Scripture doubly beautiful. It means we will never be able to find the end of God’s mercies either.
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
As far as possible; as far as we can imagine. These are the points in our apprehension most distant from each other, and as we can conceive nothing beyond them. So the meaning is, that we cannot imagine our sins could be more effectually removed than they are. The literal meaning of the Hebrew is, “like the distance of the east from the west” or, “like its being far.”
“So far hath he removed our transgressions from us”: That is, he has put them entirely away. They are so removed that they cannot affect us anymore. We are safe from all condemnation for our sins, as if they had not been committed at all (compare the notes at Isaiah 43:25; and Isa. 44:22).
How wonderful it is to know that our sins are so far away that we cannot get there from here. This means if we started looking for them, they would always be as far as the east is from the west. I heard a lady say in her testimony, that she did not know how far the east is from the west, but she knew she could not get there from here. Not only have they been removed from us, but they have been done away with. Our sins (forgiven ones), died on the cross.
Psalm 103:13 “Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
When in any affliction, disorder, or distress: The Lord stands in the relation of a Father to his people. They are his children by adopting grace, through the covenant of grace with them. By a sovereign act of his own will he puts them among the children, predestinates them to the adoption of children. And sends his Son to redeem them, that they might receive it, and his Spirit to bear witness to their spirits, that they are his children. And towards these he has all the affections of a tender parent. “As a father”: Unlike the pagan gods, who are apathetic or hostile.
“So the Lord pitieth them that fear him”: Not with a servile fear, which is unsuitable to the relation of children. But with reverence and godly fear, with a fear of him and his goodness, and on account of that; a filial fear, such a reverence as children should have of a father. And this character belongs to all the saints of all nations, Jews or Gentiles. And seems to be here given a purpose to include all; and that the divine pity and compassion might not be thought to be restrained to any particular nation. And, as the fruit of his tender mercy, he looks upon his children in their lost estate, and brings them out of it. He provides assistance and support in times of hardship and distress them under all their temptations. He sympathizes with them under all their afflictions: being full of compassion, he forgives their iniquities. And in the most tender manner receives them when they have backslidden, and heals their backslidings.
The pity shown here is so much greater than that of man for man. The pity mentioned here is the pity that a Father has for His son. We are sons of the Father, if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:”
These 2 Scriptures above leave no doubt at all, that those who fear God are His children. There is no wonder that He pities us as His children, we are His children.
Psalm 103:14 “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.”
“Dust”: Physically speaking, as Adam was created of dust (Gen. 2:7), so mankind at death decomposes back into dust (Gen. 3:19).
Since we are His creation, He would know exactly how we were constructed. In the creation act, He made man from the dust of the earth. He is very well aware of our earthliness.
Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Perhaps, one of the reasons for God being so patient with mankind is because God realizes man’s connection with the dust of the earth. In the flesh man is not much, it is only when God gave us new life in Jesus Christ that man became something. Through Adam and Eve, we were all flesh and headed for an eternity in hell. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we received a birth in our spirit. This gave us new life in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.”
Verses 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 cropped 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.
Verses 15-16: Life is like the “flower of the field” that grows up one day and is gone the next (Isa. 40:6-8; James 1:10-11).
“Days … as grass”: Man’s life is short and transitory.
Psalm 103:15 “[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.”
He himself is like the grass which springs out of the earth; continues on it for a time, and then drops into it. The continuance of the grass is very short, it flourishes in the morning, is cut down at evening, and withers (see Psalm 90:5). As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth; which denotes the goodliness of man. And describes him in his best estate, as possessed of health, riches, honor, and all the gifts and endowments of nature. And yet, with all these, is only like a field flower, exposed to every wind, liable to be cropped by every hand, and to be trampled upon by the beasts of the field. And therefore flourishes not long: so very precarious and uncertain is man in his most flourishing circumstances (see Isa. 40:6).
This life on this earth is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. It has been likened to smoke, which vanishes away.
Psalms 90:10 “The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
We are very much like a flower that buds in the spring, blooms in the summer and dies in the fall. The season of man on this earth is very short. Grass is like the flower. It sprouts up in spring, blooms and then is cut down and dies. If this life were all there is to life, it would be of no real pleasure. The day we are born, we begin the dying process.
Psalm 103:16 “For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.”
A stormy wind, as the Targum, which tears it up by its roots, or blows off the flower, and it is seen no more. Or a blighting easterly wind, which, blowing on it, shrivels it up, and it dies at once. Such a one as blasted the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh’s dream (Gen. 41:23). Or any impetuous, drying, and noxious wind. And so when the east wind of adversity passes over a man, his riches, and honor, and estate, are presently gone. Or some bodily distemper, which takes away health, strength, and beauty, and impairs the mind. And especially death, which removes at once into another world.
“And the place thereof shall know it no more”: The place where the flower grew shall know it no more; or it shall be seen no more in it. So man, when he dies, though he is not annihilated, he is somewhere. He is in another world, either of happiness or woe; yet he is not in this world, in the house and family, in the station and business he was. He is no longer known nor seen among men on earth (see Job 7:10).
The place that we once lived is soon taken over by another and we are soon forgotten. Once the body of man has returned to the dust it can be blown away with just a small wind. Life is like that. We only pass this way once; we must do the very best with our life while we are here. It is too soon gone. I hear so many people say, I wish I had done more with my life while I had the chance. Tomorrow is too late.
Verses 17-18: “The mercy of the LORD”: Those who appeal to God’s mercy by proper fear (verse 17), and obedience (verse 18), will overcome the shortness of physical life with eternal life (Luke 1:50 quotes Psalm 103:17).
Psalm 103:17 “But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”
But though we quickly decay and perish, yet God’s mercy to us doth not die with us. But as it was from eternity exercised in gracious purposes, so it will be continued unto eternity in that future and endless life.
“Upon them that fear him”: See before on (Psalm 103:11). His righteousness; either his faithfulness, or (that this branch may answer to the former), his mercy or benignity. This word being frequently used in both these senses, as hath been proved before. But it is here called righteousness, to intimate that God’s kindness to the posterity of his people is not only an act of his goodness, but also a discharge of his obligation under which he put himself to them, as elsewhere (so Exodus 20:6). To which this place seems to relate. Hence it is called mercy to Abraham and truth to Jacob (Micah 7:20).
“And his righteousness unto children’s children”: God’s “righteousness” is his everlasting justice, by which he gives to men according to their just deserts.
Even though the Lord does not have grandchildren, He does bless the children of His children. We know that Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was the father of Jacob. God looks kindly upon the children of those who follow Him. One of the best examples of that in the entire Bible, is the fact that Noah’s 3 sons were spared, because Noah found grace in the sight of the LORD. I suppose one reason the blessing goes down from one generation to the other is, because the righteous teach their children and grandchildren the ways of God.
Psalm 103:18 “To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”
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”, 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 forgetful hearer, and not a doer of the word (James 1:23). The commandments of God are best remembered, so as to be done, when he puts his laws into the minds of men, and writes them in their hearts. And puts his Spirit within them, to cause them to walk in his statutes, and do them (Jer. 31:34).
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”
This is speaking of the Abrahamic covenant. There is no end to the blessings that are received by those of all ages who make Him Savior and Lord.
Galatians 3:29 “And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The promise here, is the same as the Abrahamic covenant. We must continue to walk in the salvation that Jesus provided for each of us. To be Christ’s, means that we are totally His. He is our Lord. We keep His covenant, because it is our desire to please Him. This does not just mean the ten commandments. It means that our total desire is to please Him in all that we do.
Verses 19-22: He who made all, rules all, and both by a word of power. He disposes all persons and things to his own glory. There is a world of holy angels who are ever praising him. Let all his works praise him. Such would have been our constant delight, if we had not been fallen creatures. Such it will in a measure become, if we are born of God. Such it will be forever in heaven. Nor can we be perfectly happy till we can take unwearied pleasure in perfect obedience to the will of our God. And let the feeling of each redeemed heart be, Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalm 103:19 “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
“His throne in the heavens”: From everlasting to everlasting God has always ruled over all things (compare Psalms 11:4; 47:1-9; 148:8-13). This universal kingdom is to be distinguished from God’s mediatorial kingdom on earth.
The word that was translated prepared here, means to set up. Jesus even now, is seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father. He is at the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Acts 7:49 “Heaven [is] my throne, and earth [is] my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what [is] the place of my rest?”
We have gone into the fact over and over, that the LORD Jesus Christ was the Creator of all the heavens, as well as the earth and everything and everyone. This kingdom spoken of here, has been set up from the foundation of the earth. He is not just Lord of the earth, but the heavens as well.
Philippians 2:9-10 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;”
He is even now preparing a place for you and me in the heavenlies with Him. He has never stopped being ruler over all of His creation. He is and was, Supreme ruler of His creation. (In John chapter 1), it tells us exactly what His creation was.
John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Verses 20-21: “His angels … His hosts”: Unfallen, righteous angels who serve God night and day (compare Psalm 148:2; Rev. 5:11-13).
Psalm 103:20 “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
Which, though glorious creatures, are but his ministers and messengers, as the word signifies. And inviting the angels to bless God, he quickens men to the same duty, as having more dependence upon God, and, obligation to him. That excel in strength; of which see evidence (2 Kings 19:35). You are freed from the unaccountable and infirmities of mankind.
“That do his commandments”: That live in a universal, constant, and perfect obedience to all God’s commands, which the best of men through the infirmity of the flesh do frequently violate.
“Hearkening unto the voice of his word”: That diligently wait for God’s commands or errands, and execute them with all cheerfulness and readiness.
Angels are ministering spirits. They do not minister what they choose. They are sent on special assignments by the LORD. They serve Him day and night. Part of their job is to continually praise Him. Angels have much more strength than mankind. In the book of Revelation, the letters to the 7 churches were addressed to the angel of the church. The point I am making is the important thing to being a ministering spirit in service of the Lord is in the statement, (that do His commandments). Even the minister in a specific church cannot be effective for the Lord unless the Spirit ministers through them. The Spirit will minister through them, if they (do His commandments). In our weakness, He is strong. Allow the Spirit of God to minister through you. OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Psalm 103:21 “Bless ye the LORD, all [ye] his hosts; [ye] ministers of his, that do his pleasure.”
Which some understand of the sun, moon, and stars, sometimes called the hosts of heaven; and who in their way bless and praise the Lord (see Psalm 148:2). Others, of the angels, as before; who are sometimes styled the heavenly host (Luke 2:13), and may be so called from their numbers, there being legions of them. And for their military employment, in guarding and protecting the saints, in encamping about them, and fighting for them.
“Ye ministers”: This Hebrew word is commonly used of the highest and most honorable sort of servants.
“That do his pleasure”: Whose constant business and delight it is to execute the will and commands of God.
Notice the possessive word (His). The hosts are His. Even the earth and the stars staying in perfect orbit, is because He commanded them to do that. If we do not His pleasure, we are not His ministers. Especially the ministers of this world and the angels in heaven should spend their time blessing Him, for He has done great things. The more I study His Word (Bible), the more I realize how He deserves our praise.
Psalm 103:22 “Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”
“All His works”: Refers to God’s creation, which is also to His praise (compare Psalms 148-150, also 1 Chron. 29:10-13).
It seems so shallow to say, bless the LORD. How can man of so lowly estate bless the LORD? It is a particular pleasure to bless the LORD with everything that is within us. Just the act of blessing the LORD does something very special to the condition of our own soul. Not that we can give Him anything. It is the fact that we desire to give Him everything. Even the trees in the forest lift their branches up in praise. All of God’s creation glorifies Him in some way. Let everything within us bless His Holy Name.