Geneva Study Bible <<A Psalm of David.>> Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. <<A Psalm of David.>> {a} Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
(a) He wakens his dulness to praise God, showing that both understanding and affections, mind and heart, are too little to set forth his praise. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who {b} forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
(b) That is, the beginning and chiefest of all benefits, remission of sin. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who redeemeth thy life from {c} destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
(c) For before we have remission of our sins, we are as dead men in the grave. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy {d} youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(d) As the eagle, when her beak overgrows, sucks blood and so is renewed in strength, even so God miraculously gives strength to his Church above all man's expectations. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. He made known his ways unto {e} Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
(e) As to his chief minister, and next to his people. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He will not always {f} chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
(f) He shows first his severe judgment, but as soon as the sinner is humbled, he receives him to mercy. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. He hath not {g} dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
(g) Who have proved by continual experience that his mercy has always prevailed against our offences. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. As far as {h} the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
(h) As great as the world is, so full is it of signs of God's mercies toward his faithful when he has removed their sins. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. As for {i} man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
(i) He declares that man has nothing in himself to move God to mercy, but only the confession of his infirmity and misery. 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; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
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, and his {k} righteousness unto children's children;
(k) His just and faithful keeping of his promise. To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. To such as keep his {l} covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
(l) To whom he gives grace to fear him, and to obey his word. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless the LORD, ye {m} his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
(m) In that we, who naturally are slow to praise God, exhort the angels, who willingly do it, we stir up ourselves to consider our duty and wake from our sluggishness. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
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: bless the LORD, O my soul. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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