Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

This week’s responsorial psalm is from Psalm 103, a praise of divine goodness. A reflection on God’s boundless love and forgiveness, it is the perfect complement to this week’s scripture readings.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

Typically, the word “bless” is used as a prayer for God’s presence or a grace for the future; in this case, it’s a call to praise God for blessings already received. The psalmist is actually addressing this command to himself.

The Hebrew word nephesh is a rich and multifaceted term that is often translated as “soul” or “self” in English, but its meaning extends beyond a single-word translation. In general, it seeks to capture the entirety of human existence.

The psalmist is summoning his whole self to praise God, an idea reinforced by the parallel expression “all my being.”

and all my being, bless his holy name.

In Hebrew culture, a person’s name is closely associated with the person’s identity. To bless God’s “holy name,” therefore, is to praise God himself in recognition of his holiness.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

The psalmist is grateful to God for all the good things he has received from him; his desire is to never forget a single one.

He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. 

The psalmist now enumerates some of God’s blessings: forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance from destruction, and the gifts of kindness and compassion.

The word translated “kindness” is hesed, God’s steadfast and faithful love, especially associated with his covenant relationship with his people. “Compassion” translates răhamîm, a word expressing deep and tender mercy.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

Particularly important is what God does not do: “Not according to our sins does he deal with us.” The God whom we are called to imitate is himself merciful, refusing to treat his people simply according to what their sins deserve.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.

The passage concludes with two images of immeasurable distance that express the extraordinary extent of God’s mercy.

The first looks upward. The seemingly immeasurable distance between earth and heaven becomes an image for the surpassing greatness of God’s hesed toward those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The second image looks outward toward opposite horizons: “as far as the east is from the west.” Unlike north and south, which meet at the poles, east and west continue infinitely in opposite directions, emphasizing an immeasurable separation.

Out of covenant love, God puts our transgressions so far from us that the distance cannot even be imagined.