Teks -- Psalms 103:15-22 (NET)

103:15 A person’s life is like grass. Like a flower in the field it flourishes, 103:16 but when the hot wind blows by, it disappears, and one can no longer even spot the place where it once grew. 103:17 But the Lord continually shows loyal love to his faithful followers, and is faithful to their descendants, 103:18 to those who keep his covenant, who are careful to obey his commands. 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven; his kingdom extends over everything. 103:20 Praise the Lord, you angels of his, you powerful warriors who carry out his decrees and obey his orders! 103:21 Praise the Lord, all you warriors of his, you servants of his who carry out his desires! 103:22 Praise the Lord, all that he has made, in all the regions of his kingdom! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Psa 103:21 - His hosts

A title often given to the angels, in regard of their vast numbers, mighty power, unanimous concurrence, and exquisite order.

Wesley: Psa 103:21 - Ministers

This Hebrew word is commonly used of the highest and most honourable sort of servants,

JFB: Psa 103:15-16

So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it.

JFB: Psa 103:15-16 - it is gone

Literally, "it is not."

JFB: Psa 103:15-16 - know it no more

No more recognize him (Psa 90:6; Isa 40:6-8).

JFB: Psa 103:17-18

For similar contrast compare Psa 90:2-6; Psa 102:27-28.

JFB: Psa 103:18 - such . . . covenant

Limits the general terms preceding.

JFB: Psa 103:18 - righteousness

As usual (Psa 7:17; Psa 31:1).

JFB: Psa 103:19

God's firm and universal dominion is a pledge that He will keep His promises (Psa 11:4; Psa 47:8).

JFB: Psa 103:20-22 - 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 Deu 26:17; Luk 1:19).

JFB: Psa 103:21 - ye his hosts

Myriads, or armies, as corresponding to angels of great power [Psa 103:20], denoting multitudes also.

JFB: Psa 103:22 - all his works

Creatures of every sort, everywhere.

Clarke: Psa 103:15 - His days are as grass

His days are as grass - See the note on Psa 90:5.

Clarke: Psa 103:16 - The wind passeth over it

The wind passeth over it - Referring perhaps to some blasting pestilential wind.

Clarke: Psa 103:17 - The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting - חסד chesed signifies more particularly the exuberant goodness of God. This is an attribute of his nature, and must be from everlasting to everlasting; and hence, his righteousness ( צדקת tsidketh ) - his merciful mode of justifying the ungodly, is extended from one generation to another

Clarke: Psa 103:17 - Unto children’ s children

Unto children’ s children - It is still in force, and the doctrine of reconciliation through Christ shall continue to be preached till the conclusion of time.

Clarke: Psa 103:18 - To such as keep his convenant

To such as keep his convenant - The spirit of which was, I will be your God; We will be thy People. From the covenant came the commandments, and their obligation to remember and do them; and on such keepers of the covenant, and doers of the commandments, God promises to pour out his mercy through all generations.

Clarke: Psa 103:19 - The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens - There he is Sovereign, but his dominion extends equally over all the earth; for his kingdom - regal government, influence, and sway, ruleth over all.

Clarke: Psa 103:20 - Bless the Lord, ye his angels

Bless the Lord, ye his angels - Every person who has a sense of God’ s goodness to his soul feels his own powers inadequate to the praise which he ought to offer; and therefore naturally calls upon the holiest of men, and the supreme angels, to assist him in this work

Clarke: Psa 103:20 - That excel in strength

That excel in strength - Some take גברי כה gibborey coach the mighty in strength, for another class of the hierarchy, - they that do his commandments, hearkening to his words; and consider them to be that order of beings who are particularly employed in operations among and for the children of men; probably such as are called powers in the New Testament.

Clarke: Psa 103:21 - All ye his hosts; ye ministers of his

All ye his hosts; ye ministers of his - We know almost nothing of the economy of the heavenly host; and, therefore, cannot tell what is the difference between angels, mighty powers, hosts, and ministers who do his pleasure. All owe their being and all its blessings to God; all depend upon his bounty; and without him they can do nothing; therefore, all should praise him.

Clarke: Psa 103:22 - Bless the Lord, all his works

Bless the Lord, all his works - Let every thing he has done be so considered as to show forth his praise

Clarke: Psa 103:22 - Bless the Lord, O my soul

Bless the Lord, O my soul - Let me never forget my obligation to his mercy; for with tender mercies and loving-kindness has he crowned me. I will therefore be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name

Calvin: Psa 103:15 - NO PHRASE

To the same purpose is the comparison immediately following, (verse 15,) that all the excellency of man withers away like a fading flower at the first blast of the wind. Man is indeed improperly said to flourish. But as it might be alleged that he is, nevertheless, distinguished by some endowment or other, David grants that he flourishes like the grass, instead of saying, as he might justly have done, that he is a vapor or shadow, or a thing of nought. Although, as long as we live in this world, we are adorned with natural gifts, and, to say nothing of other things, “live, and move, and have our being in God,” (Act 17:28;) yet as we have nothing except what is dependent on the will of another, and which may be taken from us every hour, our life is only a show or phantom that passes away. The subject here treated, is properly the brevity of life, to which God has a regard in so mercifully pardoning us, as it is said in another psalm: “He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again,” (Psa 78:39.) If it is asked why David, making no mention of the soul, which yet is the principal part of man, declares us to be dust and clay? I answer, that it is enough to induce God mercifully to sustain us, when he sees that nothing surpasses our life in frailty. And although the soul, after it has departed from the prison of the body, remains alive, yet its doing so does not arise from any inherent power of its own. Were God to withdraw his grace, the soul would be nothing more than a puff or blast, even as the body is dust; and thus there would doubtless be found in the whole man nothing but mere vanity.

Calvin: Psa 103:17 - But the goodness of Jehovah, etc

17.But the goodness of Jehovah, etc The Psalmist leaves nothing to men to rely upon but the mercy of God; for it would be egregious folly to seek a ground of confidence in themselves. After having shown the utter emptiness of men, he adds the seasonable consolation, that, although they have no intrinsic excellence, which does not vanish into smoke, yet God is an inexhaustible fountain of life, to supply their wants. This contrast is to be particularly observed; for whom does he thus divest of all excellence? The faithful who are regenerated by the Spirit of God, and who worship him with true devotion, these are the persons whom he leaves nothing on which their hope may rest but the mere goodness of God. As the Divine goodness is everlasting, the weakness and frailty of the faithful does not prevent them from boasting of eternal salvation to the close of life, and even in death itself. David does not confine their hope within the limits of time — he views it as commensurate in duration with the grace on which it is founded. To goodness is subjoined righteousness, a word, as we have had occasion frequently to observe before, denoting the protection by which God defends and preserves his own people. He is then called righteous, not because he rewards every man according to his desert, but because he deals faithfully with his saints, in spreading the hand of his protection over them. The Prophet has properly placed this righteousness after goodness, as being the effect of goodness. He also asserts that it extends to the children and children’s children, according to these words in Deu 7:9, “God keepeth mercy to a thousand generations.” It is a singular proof of his love that he not only receives each of us individually into his favor, but also herein associates with us our offspring, as it were by hereditary right, that they may be partakers of the same adoption. How shall He cast us off, who, in receiving our children and children’s children into his protection, shows to us in their persons how precious our salvation is in his sight?

Calvin: Psa 103:18 - NO PHRASE

Farther, as nothing is more easy than for hypocrites to flatter themselves under a false pretext, that they are in favor with God, or for degenerate children groundlessly to apply to themselves the promises made to their fathers, it is again stated, by way of exception, in the 18^th verse, that God is merciful only to those who, on their part, keep his covenant, which the unbelieving make of none effect by their wickedness. The keeping, or observing of the covenant, which is here put instead of the fear of God, mentioned in the preceding verse, is worthy of notice; for thus David intimates that none are the true worshippers of God but those who reverently obey his Word. Very far from this are the Papists, who, thinking themselves equal to the angels in holiness, nevertheless shake off the yoke of God, like wild beasts, by trampling under foot his Holy Word. David, therefore, rightly judges of men’s godliness, by their submitting themselves to the Word of God, and following the rule which he has prescribed to them. As the covenant begins with a solemn article containing the promise of grace, faith and prayer are required, above all things, to the proper keeping of it. Nor is the additional clause superfluous — who remember his statutes; for, although God is continually putting us in mind of them, yet we soon slide away to worldly cares — are confused by a multiplicity of avocations, and are lulled asleep by many allurements. Thus forgetfulness extinguishes the light of truth, unless the faithful stir up themselves from time to time. David tells us that this remembrance of God’s statutes has an invigorating effect when men employ themselves in doing them. Many are sufficiently forward to discourse upon them with their tongues whose feet are very slow, and whose hands are well nigh dead, in regard to active service.

Calvin: Psa 103:19 - Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens

19.Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens David having recounted the benefits by which God lays each of us in particular, and also the whole Church, under obligation to him, now extols in general his infinite glory. The amount is, that whenever God is mentioned, men should learn to ascend in their contemplations above the whole world, because his majesty transcends the heavens; and they should farther learn not to measure his power by that of man, since it has under its control all kingdoms and dominions. That none may think that earthly creatures only are here put in subjection to God, the Psalmist chiefly addresses the angels. In calling upon them to join in praising God, he teaches both himself and all the godly, that there is not a better nor a more desirable exercise than to praise God, since there is not a more excellent service in which even the angels are employed. The angels are doubtless too willing and prompt in the discharge of this duty, to stand in need of incitement from us. With what face then, it may be said, can we, whose slothfulness is so great, take it upon us to exhort them? But although these exalted beings run swiftly before us, and we with difficulty come lagging after them, yet David enjoins them to sing God’s praises for our sake, that by their example he may awaken us from our drowsiness. The object he has in view, as I have adverted to before, is to be noted, which is, by addressing his discourse to the angels to teach us, that the highest end which they propose to themselves is to advance the divine glory. Accordingly, while in one sentence he clothes them with strength, in the immediately following, he describes them as hanging on God’s word, waiting for his orders, — Ye who do his commandment However great the power, as if he had said, with which you are endued, you reckon nothing more honorable than to obey God. And it is not only said that they execute God’s commandments, but to express more distinctly the promptitude of their obedience, it is asserted, that they are always ready to perform whatever he commands them.

Calvin: Psa 103:21 - Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts

21.Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts. By hosts is not to be understood the stars, as some explain it. The subject of the preceding verse is still continued. Nor is the repetition superfluous; for the word hosts teaches us that there are myriads of myriads who stand before the throne of God, ready to receive every intimation of his will. Again, they are called his ministers who do his pleasure, to intimate to us, that they are not there intent in idly beholding God’s glory, but that having been appointed as our ministers and guardians, they are always ready for their work. Instead of word, the term pleasure is here used, and both are employed with much propriety; for although the sun, the moon, and the stars, observe the laws which God has ordained for them, yet being without understanding, they cannot properly be said to obey his word and his voice. The term obey is indeed sometimes transferred to the mute and insensible parts of creation. ¹⁷⁵ It is, however, only in a metaphorical sense that they can be said to hearken to God’s voice, when by a secret instinct of nature they fulfill his purposes. But this in the proper sense is true of angels, who actively obey him upon their understanding from his sacred mouth what he would have them to do. The word pleasure expresses more plainly a joyful and cheerful obedience, implying that the angels not only obey God’s commandments, but also willingly and with the greatest delight receive the intimations of his will, that they may perform what he would have them to do. Such is the import of the Hebrew noun, as has been stated elsewhere.

Calvin: Psa 103:22 - Bless Jehovah, all ye his works

22.Bless Jehovah, all ye his works The Psalmist in conclusion addresses all creatures; for although they may be without speech and understanding, yet they ought in a manner to re-echo the praises of their Creator. This he does on our account, that we may learn that there is not a corner in heaven or on earth where God is not praised. We have less excuse, if, when all the works of God by praising their Maker reproach us for our sloth we do not at least follow their example. The express mention of all places of his dominion, seems to be intended to stir up the faithful to greater ardor in this exercise; for if even those countries where his voice is unheard ought not to be mute in his praise, how can we lawfully remain silent to whom he opens his mouth, anticipating us by his own sacred voice? In short, David shows that his design in recounting God’s benefits, and magnifying the extent of his empire, was to animate himself the more to the exercise of praising him.

Defender: Psa 103:15 - days are as grass

Man's body will return to dust (Psa 103:14) in accordance with the terms of God's Curse (Gen 3:19). This is a another illustration and application of the scientific law of increasing entropy."

Defender: Psa 103:20 - excel in strength

God's host of angels, innumerable in number (Heb 12:22), are mighty angels, well able to accomplish any commandment of His word. They are His "ministers" (Psa 103:21) which means "servants," and His "messengers" which is the basic meaning of the word "angels.""

TSK: Psa 103:15 - his days // a flower

his days : Psa 90:5, Psa 90:6; Isa 40:6-8, Isa 51:12; Jam 1:10, Jam 1:11; 1Pe 1:24

a flower : Job 14:1-3; Isa 28:1, Isa 28:4; Nah 1:4

TSK: Psa 103:16 - the wind // it is gone // and the

the wind : Job 27:20, Job 27:21; Isa 40:7

it is gone : Heb. it is not, Gen 5:24; Job 14:10

and the : Job 7:6-10, Job 8:18, Job 8:19, Job 20:9

TSK: Psa 103:17 - the mercy // his righteousness // unto children’ s

the mercy : Psa 89:1, Psa 89:2, Psa 100:5, Psa 118:1, 136:1-26; Jer 31:3; Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:4-8; Eph 2:4-7; 2Th 2:13, 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 1:9

his righteousness : Psa 22:31; Isa 46:13, Isa 51:6; Dan 9:24; Mic 6:5; Rom 1:17, Rom 3:21-25; 2Pe 1:1

unto children’ s : Psa 90:16; Exo 20:6; Deu 10:15; Isa 41:8; Jer 33:24-26; Act 13:32-34; Rom 15:8

TSK: Psa 103:18 - To such // remember

To such : Psa 25:10, Psa 132:12; Gen 17:9, Gen 17:10; Exo 19:5, Exo 24:8; Deu 7:9; 2Ch 34:31; Heb 8:6-13

remember : Psa 119:9-11; Deu 4:23, Deu 6:6-9; Pro 3:1; Mat 28:20; Luk 1:6; Act 24:16; 1Th 4:1

TSK: Psa 103:19 - prepared // his kingdom

prepared : Psa 2:4, Psa 9:7, Psa 11:4, Psa 115:3; Isa 66:1; Heb 8:1

his kingdom : Psa 47:2; Dan 4:25, Dan 4:34, Dan 4:35; Eph 1:21, Eph 1:22; Phi 2:9, Phi 2:10; 1Pe 3:22

TSK: Psa 103:20 - Bless // that excel in strength // do his

Bless : Psa 148:2; Luk 2:13, Luk 2:14; Rev 19:5, Rev 19:6

that excel in strength : Heb. mighty in strength, Psa 78:25; 2Ki 19:35; Isa 6:2; Joe 2:11; Mat 26:53

do his : Mat 6:10; Luk 1:19; Heb 1:14

TSK: Psa 103:21 - all ye his hosts // ministers

all ye his hosts : Psa 33:6; Gen 32:2; Jos 5:14; 1Ki 22:19; 2Ch 18:18; Luk 2:13

ministers : Psa 68:17, Psa 104:4; Neh 9:6; Dan 7:9, Dan 7:10; Mat 13:41, Mat 24:30, Mat 24:31; 2Th 1:7, 2Th 1:8; Heb 1:6, Heb 1:7, Heb 1:14; Rev 22:8, Rev 22:9

TSK: Psa 103:22 - all his works // bless the Lord

all his works : Psa 145:10, Psa 148:3-12, Psa 150:6; Isa 42:10-12, Isa 43:20, Isa 44:23, Isa 49:13; Rev 5:12-14

bless the Lord : Psa 103:1, Psa 104:1, Psa 104:35, Psa 146:1

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Psa 103:15 - A flower of the field

A flower of the field which is more exposed to winds and other violences than the flowers of the garden, which are secured by the art and care of the gardener.

Poole: Psa 103:16

A blasting or stormy wind bloweth upon it, and there is no more any appearance nor remembrance of it in the place where it stood and flourished.

Poole: Psa 103:17 - Upon them that fear him

But though we quickly decay and perish, yet God’ s mercy to us doth not die with us; but as it was from eternity exercised in gracious purposes, so it will be continued unto eternity in that future and endless life.

Upon them that fear him: see before on Psa 103:11 . His righteousness ; either his faithfulness, or (that this branch may answer to the former) his mercy or benignity; this word being frequently used in both these senses, as hath been proved before. But it is here called righteousness, to intimate that God’ s kindness to the posterity of his people is not only an act of his goodness, but also a discharge of his obligation under which he put himself to them, as elsewhere, so Exo 20:6 , to which this place seems to relate. Hence it is called mercy to Abraham and truth to Jacob , Mic 7:20 .

Poole: Psa 103:18 - To such as keep his covenant // That remember his commandments to do them

To such as keep his covenant to them that perform the condition of God’ s covenant, that sincerely love and obey him. Such restrictions are oft added, as in the general to overthrow the presumptuous hopes of ungodly men, so particularly to admonish the Israelites not to rest too much upon the privileges of their parents, or the covenant made with them, nor to expect any benefit by it, but upon condition of their continuance in God’ s covenant.

That remember his commandments to do them that have them much in their thoughts, and practise them in the course of their lives.

Poole: Psa 103:19 - Prepared // His throne in the heavens // Over all

Prepared or rather, established . Having celebrated God’ s mercy to his people, he now praiseth him for his excellent majesty and universal dominion.

His throne in the heavens which notes the eminency, glory, power, stability, and, in changeableness of God’ s kingdom.

Over all over all creatures both in heaven and in earth.

Poole: Psa 103:20 - Angels // That do his commandments // Hearkening unto the voice of his word

Angels which, though glorious creatures, are but his ministers and messengers, as the word signifies. And inviting the angels to bless God, he quickens men to the same duty, as having more dependence upon God, and, obligation to him. That excel in strength; of which see evidence 2Ki 19:35 . You are freed from the impentencies and infirmities of mankind.

That do his commandments that live in a universal, constant, and perfect obedience to all God’ s commands, which the best of men through the infirmity of the flesh do frequently violate.

Hearkening unto the voice of his word that diligently wait for God’ s commands or errands, and execute them with all cheerfulness and readiness.

Poole: Psa 103:21 - All ye his hosts // all ye his hosts // Ye ministers // That do his pleasure

All ye his hosts ye angels; to whom he still continues his address, and whom he more particularly describes by the name of hosts, a title oft given to the angels, as Gen 32:2 1Ki 22:19 2Ch 18:18 Luk 2:13 Rev 19:14 , in regard of their vast numbers, mighty power, unanimous concurrence, and exquisite order. In the former verse the expression was indefinite and general, ye his angels , here it is universal and yet particular,

all ye his hosts He seems to apply himself to the several orders of angels, of whom see Eph 3:10 Col 1:16 , and to each individual angel.

Ye ministers: this Hebrew word is commonly used of the highest and most honourable sort of servants.

That do his pleasure whose constant business and delight it is to execute the will and commands of God.

Poole: Psa 103:22 - All his works in all places of his dominion // Bless the Lord, O my soul

All his works in all places of his dominion all creatures, both in heaven and earth, according to your several capacities.

Bless the Lord, O my soul which thou hast special and abundant reason to do. Thus he ends the Psalm with the same words wherewith he began it.

Haydock: Psa 103:15 - Oil

Oil. This was an article of food, (Berthier) and deeded almost as requisite for anointing the body, as bread and wine to support nature. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xiv. 22.) Hence it was prohibited in days of fasting. (Calmet) ---

These three things are put for all sorts of food. (Worthington)

Haydock: Psa 103:16 - Field

Field. Hebrew, "of Jehova." Houbigant would substitute ssodi, "field," (Haydock) as this name of God is never used to denote "high" trees, &c. (Berthier) ---

God provides for the wants of all the creation, even of those things which seem less necessary to us. (Calmet)

Haydock: Psa 103:17 - Sparrows // Highest

Sparrows, or "birds" (Psalm ci. 8.; Haydock) in general. (Berthier) ---

Highest; or, literally, "the tribe of the heron is their leader," (Haydock) first making their nests. Septuagint seem to have read better than the present Hebrew, "the stork, the fir-trees are its house." (Berthier)

Haydock: Psa 103:18 - Irchins

Irchins. St. Augustine reads also, "hares." These desert places are not useless. (Calmet)

Haydock: Psa 103:19 - Seasons

Seasons and festivals, which it points out: mohadim. (Haydock) ---

During the night wild beasts seek their prey, as men and cattle may labour in the day-time. The sun, &c., were made for man's use, (Calmet) and not to be adored. (Eusebius) ---

These bodies move with the same regularity as if they had intelligence. (Heracleot.)

Haydock: Psa 103:21 - God

God, like all other creatures, Psalm cxliv. 15., and cxlvi. 9. (Calmet)

Gill: Psa 103:15 - As for man, his days are as grass

As for man, his days are as grass,.... He himself is like the grass which springs out of the earth; continues on it for a time, and then drops into it; the continuance of the grass is very short, it flourishes in the morning, is cut down at evening, and withers; see Psa 90:5. As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth; which denotes the goodliness of man, and describes him in his best estate, as possessed of health, riches, honour, and all the gifts and endowments of nature; and yet, with all these, is only like a field flower, exposed to every wind, liable to be cropped by every hand, and to be trampled upon by the beasts of the field; and therefore flourishes not long: so very precarious and uncertain is man in his most flourishing circumstances; see Isa 40:6.

Gill: Psa 103:16 - For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone // And the place thereof shall know it no more

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone,.... A stormy wind, as the Targum, which tears it up by its roots, or blows off the flower, and it is seen no more; or a blighting easterly wind, which, blowing on it, shrivels it up, and it dies at once; such an one as blasted the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh's dream, Gen 41:23 or any impetuous, drying, and noxious wind: and so when the east wind of adversity passes over a man, his riches, and honour, and estate, are presently gone; or some bodily distemper, which takes away health, strength, and beauty, and impairs the mind; and especially death, which removes at once into another world.

And the place thereof shall know it no more; the place where the flower grew shall know it no more; or it shall be seen no more in it: so man, when he dies, though he is not annihilated, he is somewhere; he is in another world, either of happiness or woe; yet he is not in this world, in the house and family, in the station and business he was; he is no longer known nor seen among men on earth; see Job 7:10.

Gill: Psa 103:17 - But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him // And his righteousness unto children's children

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,.... In opposition to the frailty of man, the stability and duration of the mercy of God is observed. This reaches from one eternity to another; it is from everlasting in the heart of God: it appeared in the choice of the vessels of mercy; in the covenant of grace, which is founded upon it, and filled with it; every blessing of which flows from it, and therefore are called the "sure mercies of David". And it appears in time in the regeneration of God's elect, which is according to his abundant mercy; in the forgiveness of their sins, which is according to the multitude of his tender mercies; and in their whole salvation, which is by that, and not by works of righteousness; and will endure for ever, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ is unto eternal life. It reaches from the world past to the world to come, as the Targum; and it is so "upon them that fear" the Lord; not with a servile, but a filial fear; a fear of the Lord and his goodness; which only is consistent with the grace and mercy of God, and a sense of it: not that the fear of God is the cause of mercy or grace; but, on the contrary, grace and mercy are the cause of the fear of God; which is a blessing of the covenant of grace, and one of the first things which appear in conversion; but this properly describes the persons who openly and manifestly share in the grace or mercy of God, and to whom he manifests it yet more and more; nor have any reason to believe they are the objects of it, until the true fear of God is wrought in their hearts; and, besides, this character may be given to show that the mercy and grace of God are not limited to the Israelites only, but belong to such of all nations that fear the Lord.

And his righteousness unto children's children; not the essential righteousness of God, but rather his faithfulness in the performance of his promises, which he will not suffer to fail: the justifying righteousness of Christ is here meant; which is an everlasting one, and is unto and upon all them that believe, in all successive generations; which is meant by the phrase of "children's children", even the spiritual seed of Christ, the seed of the church, the seed of Israel; to all and each of which, in every age, the word of God comes, and his promises are fulfilled; and who are justified by and glory in Christ, their righteousness; and who are further described in the next verse, which shows that not the carnal seed of them that fear the Lord are meant.

Gill: Psa 103:18 - To such as keep his covenant // And to those that remember his commandments to do them

To such as keep his covenant,.... The covenant of grace, which is peculiarly the Lord's covenant, as distinct from man's; and which he keeps himself, and is ever mindful of it. This he makes known to his people at conversion; his secret is with them, and he shows them his covenant; the blessings and promises of it; their interest in them, and in himself, as their covenant God: which they "observe" ^c, as the word here used signifies; and observing it, they lay hold upon it by faith, as belonging to them; and laying hold upon it, they "keep" it as their own, and keep it fast, and will not part with their interest in it for all the world.

And to those that remember his commandments to do them; some read them and hear them, but forget them, at least to do them: these are like a man that beholds his face in a glass, and forgets what manner of man he is; so James compares one that is a forgetful hearer, and not a doer of the word, Jam 1:23. The commandments of God are best remembered, so as to be done, when he puts his laws into the minds of men, and writes them in their hearts, and puts his Spirit within them, to cause them to walk in his statutes, and do them, Jer 31:34.

Gill: Psa 103:19 - The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens // And his kingdom ruleth over all

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens,.... The heaven is his throne; here he sits enthroned in all the glory of his majesty, with all his attendants upon him, and courtiers about him. The Lord Christ is now in heaven; and where he will continue to the restitution of all things, and from whence his people expect him at the last day. Here he is on the same throne with his divine Father; which throne he has "prepared" or "established" ^d, so as it cannot be moved: when others are cast down, this shall stand; his throne is for ever and ever. The Targum in the king's Bible is,

"the Word of the Lord hath prepared, &c.''

And his kingdom ruleth over all; over all created beings; over angels, good and bad; over men, righteous and wicked; over the greatest of men, the kings and princes of the earth. Good angels are subject to him devils tremble at him; saints acknowledge him as their King; the wicked he rules with a rod of iron; and kings reign by him, and are accountable to him; see Psa 22:28.

Gill: Psa 103:20 - Bless the Lord, ye his angels // that excel in strength // that do his commandments // Hearkening to the voice of his word

Bless the Lord, ye his angels,.... For their creation, being made by him; for their preservation, living, moving, and having their being in him; and for their happiness, in which they are continued, owing to their being chosen of God in Christ, and to their confirmation by Christ. These are always employed in the work of blessing and praising the Lord nor are they in the least backward to it, nor remiss it; nor does this address unto them suppose anything of this kind. The design of the psalmist is only to show how great and good the Lord is; that angels, the more excellent order of creatures, are under obligation to him, and are bound to praise him: and his further view is, to stir up himself and others to this work, from such a consideration, that such noble creatures are employed in the same, and who are further described:

that excel in strength; or, "are mighty in strength" ^e; they are called mighty angels, 2Th 1:7 an instance of the might and power of an angel see in 2Ki 19:35. These, not having sinned, have lost nothing of their original strength and power, and therefore must greatly excel fallen man; who is become a very weak creature, and unable to do the will and work of God, which angels are, as follows:

that do his commandments; or "his word" ^f; what he orders to be done: this they do readily and willingly, constantly, perfectly, and completely; see Mat 6:10.

Hearkening to the voice of his word; they stand before the Lord, waiting his orders; listening with great attention to what he says, and then readily execute it. Or, "at hearing the voice of his word"; that is, as soon as they hear the voice of his word, or hear him speaking ^g, immediately they apply themselves to the performance of it.

Gill: Psa 103:21 - Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts // Ye ministers of his that do his pleasure

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts,.... Which some understand of the sun, moon, and stars, sometimes called the hosts of heaven; and who in their way bless and praise the Lord; see Psa 148:2. Others, of the angels, as before; who are sometimes styled the heavenly host, Luk 2:13, and may be so called from their numbers, there being legions of them; and for their military employment, in guarding and protecting the saints, in encamping about them, and fighting for them. Or rather, since these seem to be distinguished from the angels before addressed, by them may be meant the church militant and her members; who are like an army with banners, consisting of volunteer soldiers under Christ, the Captain of their salvation; whose battles they fight against sin, Satan, and the world; and have a great deal of reason to bless and praise the Lord, for all the great and good things he has done to them, and for them.

Ye ministers of his that do his pleasure; so the angels are called, and they do the will of God; what is acceptable to him, and well pleasing in his sight, Heb 1:7. But rather, as distinct from them, the ministers of the Gospel are intended; a name which the preachers of it bear, both in the Old and in the New Testament, Isa 61:4, They are ministers of Christ's appointing, calling, qualifying, and sending; and who are employed in his service, in preaching him, his Gospel, and the truths of it; and who do his pleasure, that which is grateful to him, when they speak his word faithfully, declare his whole counsel, and keep back nothing that is profitable: and these have reason to bless the Lord for the gifts bestowed upon them, and for their success and usefulness; and indeed they bear a leading part in giving praise and glory to God, Rev 4:9.

Gill: Psa 103:22 - Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion // Bless the Lord, O my soul

Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion,.... Which some interpret of all his creatures, animate or inanimate, rational or irrational, throughout the whole world, which is all under his government; and who all of them, objectively, bless and praise the Lord, Psa 148:7. Or rather regenerate persons, his sons and daughters, the work of his hand, in each of the parts of the world where they live, are here called upon to bless the Lord; who, of his abundant mercy, hath begotten them again to a glorious inheritance: these are his workmanship in Christ; formed for himself, his service, and glory; and are under the highest obligations to show forth his praise.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: thus the psalmist ends the psalm as he begun it; not excusing himself by what he had done, nor by calling upon others to this service; knowing that this is constant employment for time and eternity; a work in which he delighted, and was desirous of being concerned in, now and for ever.