A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Psalms: Psalms Chapter 103
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise.
my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; Psa 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.
all . . . within me-- (Deu 6:5).
his holy name-- (Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.
forget not all--not any, none of His benefits.
diseases--as penal inflictions (Deu 29:22; Ch2 21:19).
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; Psa 40:11).
By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles (Psa 92:14; compare Isa 40:31).
Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
ways--of providence, &c., as usual (Psa 25:4; Psa 67:2).
acts--literally, "wonders" (Psa 7:11; Psa 78:17).
God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time (Exo 34:6).
keep (anger)--in Lev 19:18, bear a grudge (Jer 3:5, Jer 3:12).
great--efficient.
removed . . . from us--so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."
he--"who formed," Psa 94:9.
knoweth our frame--literally, "our form."
we are dust--made of and tending to it (Gen 2:7).
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; Isa 40:6-8).
For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; Psa 102:27-28.
such . . . covenant--limits the general terms preceding.
righteousness--as usual (Psa 7:17; Psa 31:1).
God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psa 11:4; Psa 47:8).
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 Deu 26:17; Luk 1:19).
ye his hosts--myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [Psa 103:20], denoting multitudes also.
all his works--creatures of every sort, everywhere.