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Psalm 103[a]

Praise of Divine Goodness

Of David.

I

Bless the Lord, my soul;
    all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, my soul;
    and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
    and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,(A)
    and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
    so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.[b]

II

The Lord does righteous deeds,
    brings justice to all the oppressed.(B)
He made known his ways to Moses,
    to the Israelites his deeds.
Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
    slow to anger, abounding in mercy.(C)
He will not always accuse,
    and nurses no lasting anger;
10 He has not dealt with us as our sins merit,
    nor requited us as our wrongs deserve.

III

11 For as the heavens tower over the earth,
    so his mercy towers over those who fear him.(D)
12 As far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we are formed,
    remembers that we are dust.(E)
15 As for man, his days are like the grass;
    he blossoms like a flower in the field.(F)
16 A wind sweeps over it and it is gone;
    its place knows it no more.
17 But the Lord’s mercy is from age to age,
    toward those who fear him.
His salvation is for the children’s children
18     of those who keep his covenant,
    and remember to carry out his precepts.

IV

19 The Lord has set his throne in heaven;
    his dominion extends over all.
20 Bless the Lord, all you his angels,(G)
    mighty in strength, acting at his behest,
    obedient to his command.
21 Bless the Lord, all you his hosts,
    his ministers who carry out his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his creatures,
    everywhere in his domain.
    Bless the Lord, my soul!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 103 The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22).
  2. 103:5 Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s: because of the eagle’s long life it was a symbol of perennial youth and vigor, cf. Is 40:31.

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)