Psalm 103
Psa 103:1-22. A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God's gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man's frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song
1. Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise.
my soul--myself ([Psa 3:3]; ), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence.
all ... within me--([De 6:5]).
his holy name--([Psa 5:11]), His complete moral perfections.
2. forget not all--not any, none of His benefits.
3. diseases--as penal inflictions ([De 29:22]; [2Ch 21:19]).
4. 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]; ).
5. By God's provision, the saint retains a youthful vigor like the eagles ([Psa 92:14]; compare [Is 40:31]).
6. Literally, "righteousness and judgments," denoting various acts of God's government.
7. ways--of providence, &c., as usual ([Psa 25:4]; ).
acts--literally, "wonders" ([Psa 7:11]; ).
8-10. God's benevolence implies no merit. He shows it to sinners, who also are chastened for a time ([Ex 34:6]).
keep (anger)--in [Le 19:18], bear a grudge ([Jr 3:5], ).
11. great--efficient.
12. removed ... from us--so as no longer to affect our relations to Him.
13. pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."
14. he--"who formed," [Psa 94:9].
knoweth our frame--literally, "our form."
we are dust--made of and tending to it ([Ge 2:7]).
15-16. 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]; [Is 40:6-8]).
17-18. For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; 102:27, 28.
19. God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises ([Psa 11:4]; ).
20-22. 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 [De 26:17]; [Lu 1:19]).
Psalm 104
Psa 104:1-35. The Psalmist celebrates God's glory in His works of creation and providence, teaching the dependence of all living creatures; and contrasting the happiness of those who praise Him with the awful end of the wicked
1. God's essential glory, and also that displayed by His mighty works, afford ground for praise.
2. light--is a figurative representation of the glory of the invisible God ([Mt 17:2]; [1Ti 6:16]). Its use in this connection may refer to the first work of creation ([Ge 1:3]).
stretchest out the heavens--the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a curtain ([Is 40:12]).
3. in the waters--or, it may be "with"; using this fluid for the beams, or frames, of His residence accords with the figure of clouds for chariots, and wind as a means of conveyance.
walketh--or, "moveth" (compare [Psa 18:10], ; [Am 9:6]).
4. This is quoted by Paul ([He 1:7]) to denote the subordinate position of angels; that is, they are only messengers as other and material agencies.
spirits--literally, "winds."
flaming fire--([Psa 105:32]) being here so called.
5. The earth is firmly fixed by His power.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation ([Ge 7:19], ; [2Pe 3:5], ). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" ([Psa 76:6]; [Is 50:2]), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare [Psa 104:3]), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
14-15. so that men and beasts are abundantly provided with food.
for the service--literally, "for the culture," &c., by which he secures the results.
oil ... shine--literally, "makes his face to shine more than oil," that is, so cheers and invigorates him, that outwardly he appears better than if anointed.