Psalms 103:15-22

15 Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
16 But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.
17 God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children
18 as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.
19 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King!
20 So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says.
21 Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills.
22 Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are - everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God!

Images for Psalms 103:15-22

Psalms 103:15-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 103

\\<>\\. The Targum adds, ``spoken in prophecy,'' as doubtless it was, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Some think it was written by David, after a fit of illness, and his recovery from it, since he speaks of his diseases being healed, and his youth renewed; for which reason the Syriac interpreter suggests it was written in his old age; for he makes the subject of the psalm to be, ``concerning coldness which prevailed upon him in old age;'' but rather he wrote it when his heart was warm with a sense of the love of God, and spiritual blessings of grace flowing from thence; and in it celebrates and sings the benefits of New Testament times; and it is a psalm suitable to be sung by every believer, under a quick sense of divine favours: wherefore the above interpreter better adds, ``also an instruction and thanksgiving by men of God;'' whom the psalmist may very well be thought to personate, even in Gospel times; and much rather than the Jews in captivity, as Kimchi thinks.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.