Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 103:2
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
NIV · New International Version
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
WEB · World English Bible
Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,
What does Psalms 103:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 103:2
Bless the Lord, O my soul,.... Which is repeated to show the importance of the service, and the vehement desire of the psalmist, that his soul should be engaged in it: and forget not all his benefits; not any of them; the least of them are not to be forgotten, being such as men are altogether unworthy of; they flow not from the merit of men, but from the mercy of God; and they are many, even innumerable; they are new every morning, and continue all the day; and how great must the sum of them be, and not one should be forgotten; and yet even good men are very apt to forget them; as the Israelites of old, who sung the praises of the Lord, and soon forgot his works: the Lord, knowing the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 103:1–5
2. And forget not any of his benefits Here, he instructs us that God is not deficient on his part in furnishing us with abundant matter for praising him. It is our own ingratitude which hinders us from engaging in this exercise. In the first place, he teaches us that the reason why God deals with such liberality towards us is, that we may be led to celebrate his praise; but at the same time he condemns our inconstancy, which hurries us away to any other object rather than to God.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 103:1–5 (WEB)
1By David. Praise the LORD, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! 2Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits, 3who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Cross references
- Isaiah 63:7
I will tell of the loving kindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has given to us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
- Psalms 116:12
- Psalms 105:5
- Luke 17:15–18
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
- Deuteronomy 6:12
then beware lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
- Deuteronomy 32:18
Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who gave you birth.
- Deuteronomy 32:6
Is this the way you repay the LORD, foolish and unwise people? Isn’t he your father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.
- 2 Chronicles 32:25
But Hezekiah didn’t reciprocate appropriate to the benefit done for him, because his heart was lifted up. Therefore there was wrath on him, Judah, and Jerusalem.