Praise God for His Benefits
Study note
David tells his soul to praise the Lord and not forget all his benefits: he forgives all sins, heals all diseases, redeems life from the grave, and crowns us with love and compassion.
1 With everything inside me, praise the Lord! Let every part of who I am celebrate his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and never forget a single good thing he has done for you. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 He wipes away all your sins. He heals every sickness you carry. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 He pulls your life back from the edge of the grave and places a crown of loyal love and tender care on your head. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 He fills your days with wonderful things. He makes you feel young and strong again, like an eagle soaring high. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
God Is Compassionate and Gracious
Study note
God works justice for the oppressed. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and rich in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. He knows we are dust.
6 The Lord stands up for what is right and brings justice to every person who has been pushed around. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He let Moses in on his plans and showed the people of Israel what he was doing. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of mercy and kindness. He does not get angry quickly, and his loyal love runs deep. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not keep pointing his finger at us forever. He will not hold on to his anger without end. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not treated us the way our sins deserve. He has not paid us back for all the wrong things we have done. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 As far up as the heavens stretch above the ground, that is how enormous his loyal love is for those who respect him. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just like a father is gentle with his kids, the Lord is gentle with those who honor him. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 He understands exactly what we are made of. He never forgets that we are nothing more than dust. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
God's Love Is Everlasting
Study note
Human life is like grass and flowers that wither and blow away. But the Lord's love lasts from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear him and keep his covenant.
15 People's lives are like blades of grass. They bloom like a wildflower in a field. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 One gust of wind blows over it and it vanishes. The spot where it grew does not even recognize it anymore. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the Lord's loyal love lasts forever. It is for those who fear him. His goodness reaches down to their grandchildren. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 to those who honor his agreement and make sure to do what he says. To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Praise the Lord, All Creation
Study note
God's throne is in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. David calls the angels, heavenly hosts, and all of creation to praise the Lord. He ends where he began: Praise the Lord, O my soul.
19 The Lord has placed his throne high up in the heavens, and his kingdom is in charge of everything. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels of his! You mighty ones who carry out his word the instant you hear his voice -- praise him! Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all you armies of heaven, you servants who gladly do whatever he asks! Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has made, everywhere his kingdom reaches! And you, my soul -- praise the Lord! Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.