DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 103 the Psalmist blesses the LORD profusely and calls upon all of creation to join him in this praise. In parallel with this and similar calls by David to worship the LORD, he also, by the LORD's instruction, instituted formal and elaborate musical worship for the Tabernacle. Many musical instruments are mentioned as part of this worship, including drums. I'm using the drummers depicted in today's painting to give a hint of how formal and extensive the various groups of singers and musicians seem to have been under David's organizing hand.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Chronicles 16. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 103 - #1. Psalm 103 - #2. Psalm 103 - #3. Psalm 103 - #4. Psalm 103 - #5. Psalm 103 - #6. Psalm 103 - #7. Psalm 103 - #8. ]

     David begins his Psalm of blessing by encouraging his soul, and all that is within him, to bless the LORD and not to forget all of his benefits (1-2). He then gives a list of God's benefits. The LORD forgives his iniquities; he heals all his diseases; he redeems his life from destruction; he crowns him with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He satisfies him with good; he renews his youth like the eagle's. (3-5). The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. The LORD made his ways known to Moses and to the children of Israel. He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy (6-8). He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with our sins and our iniquities as they deserve; for as heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward those who fear him (9-11). He has removed our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west. He pities us like a father. He knows that we are made of dust (12-14). Man is like grass or a flower of the field which perishes soon and is forgotten. But God's mercy is from everlasting to everlasting to those who fear him; and the LORD's righteousness is shown to the children's children of those who keep his covenant and his commandments (15-18). The LORD prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all. And David concludes his Psalm by calling upon his angels who excel in strength, who do his commandments, and who hearken unto his word, to bless the LORD. He calls on the heavenly host and upon God's ministers to bless the LORD. He calls upon all of God's works in all places to bless the LORD. And in his final words, he ends as he began, by encouraging his soul to bless the LORD (19-22).

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
²⁰ Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
²¹ Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
²² Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]