02/06/12: Psalm 103

Psalm 103
Of David.

The psalmist is talking to his soul, telling it to praise the Lord because of His works. He enumerates a number of God's works, showing some more of His characteristics.

Verse	Observation	Interpretation	Application
1Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.	The psalmist is instructing his soul. This could show that the soul and the intellect are two different faculties. He instructs the soul to praise the Lord because Of His benefits Of His forgiveness - Here it says He forgives ALL the psalmist sins. But remember in context that David is the one speaking here, not us. He has claimed to be blameless before. I think this is its meaning: he is 'blameless' because the Lord forgives all his sins. Comparing Scripture with Scripture, let us remember that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 Of His healing - Here it also says that He forgives ALL of David's diseases. I cannot remember David having a sickness like king Hezekiah. Take this into context; it does not say that the Lord will heal all the diseases. This is David speaking here. The Lord has given him a healthy body. Of His redemption - I'm not sure about the pit David is talking about here, but I think this is the grave, literally physical death. The Lord has saved him countless of times from deadly experiences: fighting lions, bears, giants, even King Saul. Of His providence - He satisfies David's desires WITH GOOD THINGS. This is notable since it implies the possibility of satisfying desires with BAD things. I observe that this is rampant in today's society where everyone tries to satisfy their desire without regard for morality. Also, David continues to say that this satisfaction will "renew youth like the eagle's." This site pretty much explains what I was about to research.	The Lord benefits, forgives, heals, redeems and satisfies	Praise the Lord and recognize these attributes of His.
6The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— 18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.	Here David lists what the Lord has done and His characteristics. Righteous and Just - He works righteousness and justice for ALL the oppressed. Let us know that even though the Lord does not seem to work sometimes (this has been tackled in an earlier Psalm), He works justice for the oppressed. Have faith and see what He is doing. Compassion and Grace - v.8 to 9 basically nails it. v. 10-12 says that He does not treat us as our sins deserve, which is in contradiction with His righteousness and justice. This is possibly referring to an earthly life, but we will receive full punishment when we die (if we are without salvation). He loves those who fear Him and are humble (v. 14). David then reminds man that we are only mortals who are temporary in this world(v.16) but reassures that the Lord's love lasts forever and is with those who fear Him.	The Lord's love and compassion is with those who fear Him.	Fear the Lord.
19The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.	The Lord's throne is in heaven, but He rules over all. David talks to the heavenly hosts, (angels who do God's bidding)and to the creation to praise the Lord.

Feel free to correct me if there is anything wrong in my understanding of the Bible. I am not a Bible scholar or anything, I'm just studying the Word of God.