Psalm 103
"Bless the LORD, O my soul"
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What does it say?
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David tells his soul to bless the LORD and not forget all his kindness: he forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and crowns us with love and compassion. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and has not treated us as our sins deserve. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins. Like a father, he has compassion on his children, for he knows we are dust.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 103
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David (103:1).
What it is. A song of thanks. David talks to his own soul and tells it: don't forget what God has done.
What it's about. God's mercy: how he forgives, heals, and loves like a father, even though we are as fragile as grass.
How to read it. Make a list of everything God does in verses 3 to 6. It's a long list.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bless the LORD, O My Soul | 103:1-5 | Don't forget his kindness |
| 2. Compassionate and Gracious | 103:6-12 | He removes our sins far away |
| 3. Like a Father | 103:13-18 | He knows we are dust |
| 4. Bless the LORD, All His Works | 103:19-22 | Everyone and everything, praise him |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Bless the LORD, O My Soul
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name" (103:1).
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds" (103:2).
"He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases" (103:3).
He rescues your life and crowns you with love and compassion.
He fills your life with good things, so you feel young again.
Section 2 of 4Compassionate and Gracious
God does justice for people who are oppressed.
"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (103:8).
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities" (103:10).
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him" (103:11).
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (103:12).
East and west never meet. That's how far away God puts our sins.
Section 3 of 4Like a Father
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him" (103:13).
"For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust" (103:14).
Our lives are like wildflowers. The wind blows, and they're gone.
"But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him" (103:17).
Section 4 of 4Bless the LORD, All His Works
God rules over everything from his throne in heaven.
David calls on the angels to bless the LORD, and all God's servants, and everything he made.
And he ends where he began: "Bless the LORD, O my soul!" (103:22).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Bless the LORD, O my soul" (103:1) | David tells himself to praise God. |
| "Do not forget all His kind deeds" (103:2) | Remember what God has done. |
| "Slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (103:8) | God's patience and love are huge. |
| "As far as the east is from the west" (103:12) | God removes our sins completely. |
| "As a father has compassion" (103:13) | God loves us like a good parent. |
| "He is mindful that we are dust" (103:14) | God knows how weak we are. |
Back Then
Verse 8 repeats what God told Moses about himself on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:6).
Eagles were known for long life and strength. Isaiah used the same picture (Isaiah 40:31).
Literal Reader Alert
Does God heal every disease? He is the healer, and he gives healing in many ways. Complete healing comes in the resurrection.
Why talk to your own soul? Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of what's true, especially when we feel forgetful or low.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | Thankful | God forgives and heals (103:3) |
| People | Fragile | We are like grass (103:15) |
| God | Compassionate | Like a father (103:13) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need to remember? Tap one.
I keep feeling guilty
As far as east is from west, he has removed your sins.
I feel weak
He knows your frame. He remembers you are dust.
I've forgotten to be thankful
Bless the LORD, O my soul. Count his kindnesses.
I miss a father's love
God has compassion like a father.
You Might Have Heard
"God gives us what we deserve."
What's true: God is holy and just.
What the passage is mainly about: "He has not dealt with us according to our sins" (103:10). God gives us mercy we don't deserve.
Where Jesus is: He took what our sins deserved, so God could remove them as far as the east is from the west.
Good News
God doesn't keep a record of your wrongs.
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (103:12).
He knows you are dust, and he loves you like a father, forever.
Bless the LORD! He forgives all our sins, heals, and loves us like a father. He knows we are dust, and his love lasts forever.
Big Idea
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and don't forget his kindness. He forgives, heals, and has compassion like a father. As far as the east is from the west, he has removed our sins.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved this psalm. He called verse 13, about God's compassion as a father, a "golden verse" for troubled consciences.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 103 on several Sundays, including the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany in Year B, Ash Wednesday, and Sundays in the fall of Year A.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany Year BPsalm, Psalm 103:1-13, 22
- Lectionary 8 Year BPsalm, Psalm 103:1-13, 22
- Lectionary 21 Year CPsalm, Psalm 103:1-8
- Lectionary 24 Year APsalm, Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 103, explained in plain words. David tells his soul not to forget God's kindness: he forgives, heals, and loves like a father. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-103/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church