Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name,” is one of the most beautiful songs of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and forgiveness. It reminds us of all God’s benefits and of a love that removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west.” In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 102. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 103 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.
Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.
He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:
For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:
Man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children’s children,
To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.
Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Psalm 103 or Psalm 102?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 102 is Psalm 103 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Benedic, anima mea, Domino. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Never forget his benefits: God forgives, heals, redeems and crowns us with mercy.
- Youth renewed like the eagle’s: God gives new strength to the weary.
- Merciful and gracious: the Lord is slow to anger and does not deal with us according to our sins.
- “As far as the east is from the west”: God removes our sins completely.
- As a father has compassion on his children: God knows we are dust, and his mercy is from eternity to eternity.
- All creation, bless the Lord: angels, hosts and all his works join the praise.
How the Church uses Psalm 103
- On many Sundays as a responsorial psalm (“The Lord is kind and merciful”), especially in Lent and Ordinary Time.
- In thanksgiving after confession. See how to go to confession.
- At anniversaries and celebrations of God’s blessings.
A prayer with Psalm 103
Written for this page:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget his benefits.
Thank you, Father, for forgiving my sins and healing my wounds,
for your mercy that is from eternity to eternity.
Renew my strength, and let all that is within me bless your holy name. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 103 about?
Thanksgiving for God’s mercy, forgiveness and compassion toward his children.
Where is “as far as the east is from the west”?
Psalm 103:12 (102:12 in the Douay-Rheims).
Why are psalm numbers different in Catholic Bibles?
Older Catholic Bibles such as the Douay-Rheims follow the Greek and Latin numbering; modern Bibles follow the Hebrew, which is usually one number higher.
More psalms and prayers
- Psalms for healing
- Psalms of praise
- Psalm 145 (The eyes of all look to you)
- Psalm 116 (What shall I render to the Lord?)
- Psalm 51 (Miserere)
- Catholic prayer for forgiveness
- Catholic prayers of gratitude
- Psalm 100
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 102 (103), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.