Psalms 103 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
103:1
1. Bless, c.--when God is the object, praise. my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence. all ... within me--(De 6:5). his holy name--(Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.
103:2
2. forget not all--not any, none of His benefits.
103:3
3. diseases--as penal inflictions (De 29:22; 2Ch 21:19).
103:4
4. redeemeth--Cost is implied. destruction--literally, "pit of corruption" (Psa 16:10). crowneth--or, "adorneth" (Psa 65:11). tender mercies--compassions (compare Psa 25:6; 40:11).
103:5
5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Psa 92:14; compare Is 40:31).
103:6
6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
103:7
7. ways--of providence, c., as usual (Psa 25:4; 67:2). acts--literally, "wonders" (Psa 7:11; 78:17).
103:8–10
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 (Jr 3:5, 12).
103:11
11. great--efficient.
103:12
12. removed ... from us--so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
103:13
13. pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."
103:14
14. he--"who formed," Psa 94:9. knoweth our frame--literally, "our form." we are dust--made of and tending to it (Ge 2:7).
103:15–16
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 (Psa 90:6; Is 40:6-8).
103:17–18
17-18. For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.
103:19
19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psa 11:4; 47:8).
103:20–22
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).