Bible Commentaries
Psalms 103

Verse 1

Title. of David: i.e. relating to the true David.

Bless. Figure of speech Apostrophe.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. with ' eth = Jehovah Himself.

my soul = me myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 2

all = any of.

benefits = dealings.

Verse 3

forgiveth = passeth over. This verb, with its adjective and subs., is never used but of God. Literal. That is the Forgiver. Compare Psalms 103:14 and note there.

iniquities. Hebrew. 'avah. So some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint and Vulgate (plural); other codices read singular.

Verse 4

redeemeth: i.e. as a kinsman. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 .

tender mercies = compassions.

Verse 6

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 7

ways: i.e. the reasons of His acts (esoteric) to Moses. acts: i.e. the acts (exoteric) visible to the People.

children = sons.

Verse 8

merciful = compassionate, or pitiful. Compare Psalms 103:13 .

Slow to anger = long-suffering.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. Compare Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 .

Verse 9

His anger. The Ellipsis is correctly supplied from the preceding line.

Verse 10

sins. Hebrew. chata. App-44 .

Verse 11

great = mighty, or hath prevailed.

toward = upon.

fear = revere.

Verse 12

transgressions. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

Verse 14

frame = formation. He remembereth. Compare Isaiah 29:16 ; Isaiah 45:9 , Isaiah 45:10 : i.e. God remembers what man forgets (i.e. our infirmities); and He forgets what man remembers (i.e. our sins). See Isaiah 43:25 ; Isaiah 44:22 .Jeremiah 31:34 . Compare Isaiah 55:8 .

dust. See Genesis 2:7 ; Genesis 3:19 . Ecclesiastes 12:7 .

Verse 15

man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

it is gone = there is no sign of it.

the place . . . know it. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia.

know = recognize.

Verse 17

But. Blessed contrast.

Verse 19

prepared = established.

Verse 20

ye. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "all ye".

That excel = That are mighty.

commandments = commandment (singular)

Verse 21

ministers: i.e. the angels. Compare Psalms 104:4 .Hebrews 1:14 .

Verse 22

dominion = sovereignty.