Psalm 103 · KJV
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Psalm 103 is a call to remember and praise God's mercy — He forgives sins, heals, redeems, and crowns us with lovingkindness. It pictures a Father who is compassionate and patient, removing our sins "as far as the east is from the west."
Psalm 103 (KJV)
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
What Psalm 103 means
David preaches to his own soul: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." He lists them — forgiveness, healing, redemption, lovingkindness, satisfaction. The tone is grateful memory, deliberately recounting what God has done rather than drifting into forgetfulness.
The heart of the psalm is mercy: "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." Its picture of forgiveness — sins removed as far as east from west — is one of the Bible's most freeing images of grace.
Key verses
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”
Psalm 103:2 · KJV — "Forget not all his benefits."
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12 · KJV — Sins removed as far as the east is from the west.
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A prayer from Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Thank You for forgiving all my sins, healing my brokenness, and crowning me with lovingkindness. Help me never to forget Your benefits. Amen.
Themes in this passage
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Frequently asked
What does Psalm 103 mean?
Psalm 103 is a call to remember and praise God's mercy — He forgives sins, heals, redeems, and crowns us with lovingkindness. It pictures a Father who is compassionate and patient, removing our sins "as far as the east is from the west."
What is Psalm 103 about?
David preaches to his own soul: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." He lists them — forgiveness, healing, redemption, lovingkindness, satisfaction. The tone is grateful memory, deliberately recounting what God has done rather than drifting into forgetfulness.
What is the key verse in Psalm 103?
Psalm 103:2 — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”
Is Psalm 103 in the King James Version?
Yes. The full text of Psalm 103 on this page is the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.