Psalm 103 explained: Remembering a Kind and Patient God

Talking to his own soul (vv. 1-5)

The poet, traditionally David, tells himself to praise God with his whole being and to remember God's gifts: forgiveness, healing, rescue from the pit (a picture of death and the grave) and a life filled with good things. The eagle image probably points to the bird's strength and its fresh feathers after molting, a picture of energy restored.

What God showed Moses (vv. 6-10)

He widens his view from his own life to God taking the side of people who are wronged, and to what God revealed to Moses. Verse 8 echoes words God spoke to Moses after Israel worshiped a golden calf, describing a God who is slow to anger and does not punish people as their wrongs deserve.

Love too big to measure (vv. 11-14)

The height of the sky and the distance from east to west picture something without limit, so wrongdoing is removed completely. God is like a caring father who remembers humans are made of dust, a nod to the creation story, and so are fragile.

Short lives, lasting love (vv. 15-18)

A human life is like a wildflower: the wind passes over it, it is gone, and even the spot where it grew forgets it. Against that, God's love lasts across generations for those who honor him and keep his covenant, the binding agreement between God and Israel.

All creation called to praise (vv. 19-22)

Because God rules over everything, the poet calls angels, the armies of heaven and every created thing to praise him. The psalm ends where it began, with the poet speaking to his own soul.

Key verse: Psalm 103:10

Something to think about

What would it mean to be treated not as you deserve, and does that idea strike you more as relief or as unfairness?