Psalms 103

A Psalm of David.

This is one of the sweetest psalms of praise in the whole book. In Psalms 103:1 the author calls upon himself to bless God: first, for rich personal experience of the divine mercy, (Psalms 103:2-5;) secondly, for his forgiving grace and righteous judgments to Israel, (Psalms 103:6-12;) thirdly, for his tender consideration of human infirmity, (Psalms 103:13-16;) fourthly, for his faithful covenant mercy to such as fear him everywhere, (Psalms 103:17-18;) fifthly, for his universal dominion, for which angels, men, and all his works, should praise him, (Psalms 103:19-22.) The last clause of the psalm repeats the sentiment of Psalms 103:1, thus rounding and completing this incomparable ode.

The name Jehovah occurs eleven times in this psalm, and it speaks from the depth of conscious realization of that name as the covenant God and merciful Ruler of Israel. The turning away of anger, the tender and loving compassion of God, the readiness to forgive, the facts of recent forgiveness and redemption from the grave, are considerations which awaken the liveliest gratitude, and give freshness and vigour to the style. In artistic structure and in evangelical doctrine it is unsurpassed, while it has all the ease and vigour and naturalness of a Davidic production. Its occasion might suit his recovery and pardon after the reproof of Nathan, (2 Samuel 12:0;) or his restoration after the numbering of the people, (2 Samuel 24:0;) but more probably the former. There is no historic or internal evidence requiring us to set aside the title, which ascribes the psalm to David, but strong internal evidence to the contrary. According to Hengstenberg, Delitzsch, etc., the few Aramaic forms which occur are insufficient to date it after the captivity, and were added for poetic beauty to give ornament to the expression.