Psalm 103
Encyclopedia
Psalm 103 is the 103rd psalm from the Book of Psalms (Greek numbering: Psalm 102). The first verse attributes it to King David
, the author of many Psalms. J.A. Motyer of Trinity College, Bristol
describes it thus: "The blend of changeless fatherly care and endless sovereign rule (by God) is the distinctive stress of this Psalm."
The Psalm uses a variety of imagery, memorably in verse 12: "...As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us...".
An interesting note appears to the modern reader when considering verse 12. The significance of the compass directions being east and west in verse 12 instead of north and south, is that when traveling north you will eventually cross the North pole and begin traveling south, and the same vice versa. This does not happen when traveling east or west, and thus the difference between our transgression and ourselves is considered infinite. Although this line of reasoning is powerful for modern readers, the culture that produced this Psalm had a cosmology that viewed the world as flat and having four corners. In the original context, east and west function as a merism
that implies infinite distance.
in the western church the psalm also forms the basis of the hymn
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven.
David
David was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible and, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, an ancestor of Jesus Christ through both Saint Joseph and Mary...
, the author of many Psalms. J.A. Motyer of Trinity College, Bristol
Trinity College, Bristol
Trinity College Bristol is a Christian college affiliated to the Church of England, though students come from different denominations. It is located in Stoke Bishop in Bristol, England, next to the University of Bristol's residential halls...
describes it thus: "The blend of changeless fatherly care and endless sovereign rule (by God) is the distinctive stress of this Psalm."
The Psalm uses a variety of imagery, memorably in verse 12: "...As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us...".
An interesting note appears to the modern reader when considering verse 12. The significance of the compass directions being east and west in verse 12 instead of north and south, is that when traveling north you will eventually cross the North pole and begin traveling south, and the same vice versa. This does not happen when traveling east or west, and thus the difference between our transgression and ourselves is considered infinite. Although this line of reasoning is powerful for modern readers, the culture that produced this Psalm had a cosmology that viewed the world as flat and having four corners. In the original context, east and west function as a merism
Merism
In rhetoric, a merism is a figure of speech by which a single thing is referred to by a conventional phrase that enumerates several of its parts, or which lists several synonyms for the same thing....
that implies infinite distance.
Judaism
- Verse 1 is the final verse of NishmatNishmatNishmat is a Jewish prayer that is recited following the Song of the Sea during Pesukei D'Zimrah but before Yishtabach on Shabbat and Yom Tov. It is also recited during the Passover seder in some traditions...
. - Verse 10 is part of the opening paragraph of the long TachanunTachanunTachanun or , also called nefillat apayim is part of Judaism's morning and afternoon services, after the recitation of the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services...
recited on Mondays and Thursdays. - Verse 13 is part of the long TachanunTachanunTachanun or , also called nefillat apayim is part of Judaism's morning and afternoon services, after the recitation of the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services...
recited on Mondays and Thursdays. - Verse 14 is the second-to-last verse of the regular Tachanun.
- Verse 17 is recited during the blessings before the Shema on the second day of Rosh HashanahRosh HashanahRosh Hashanah , , is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im which occur in the autumn...
. - Verse 19 is the seventh verse of Yehi KivodYehi KivodYehi kevod is a prayer recited daily during Pesukei Dezimra prior to Ashrei...
in Pesukei Dezimra.
Christianity
In Christian worshipChristian worship
In Christianity, worship is adoration and contemplation of God.-Overview:Throughout most of Christianity's history, corporate Christian worship has been primarily liturgical, characterized by prayers and hymns, with texts rooted in, or closely related to, the Scripture, particularly the Psalter;...
in the western church the psalm also forms the basis of the hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven.
External links
- Tehillim - Psalm 103 (Judaica Press) translation with RashiRashiShlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
's commentary at Chabad.orgChabad.orgChabad.org is the flagship website of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. It serves not just its own members but Jews worldwide in general. It was one of the first Jewish internet sites and the first and largest virtual congregation.-History:...