Though both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom would be sent into exile, God still promised to bring them back. While Joab and the Israelite army were far off attacking Rabbah, David stayed behind in Jerusalem and eventually committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of David’s best soldiers.

Again the superscription of this psalm assigns the author as David, while many scholars believe that it’s origin was during the time of Babylonian captivity. The reason there are so many psalms which have this ambiguity and controversy is because the time of captivity and exile bears great similarity to the time when David had his ordeal with Absalom – following his sins with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite. God’s proclamation through Nathan of the woes to come for David were, as always, utterly fulfilled as was the judgment on his people for their idolatry. It was the shame for their sin, repentance and regret, and utter despair at the consequences of their action that was the common denominator.

Psalm 103 is another hymn of praise, declaring the love of the Lord for His people despite the punishment he had brought to pass on them. The recognition in verse 6 of the Lord’s justice for the righteous and the oppressed applies equally to David’s situation as it does to Uriah in his death, as well as to the poor and unfortunate that the people had abandoned in their selfishness, greed, and idolatry before exile. The text speaks of the brevity of life on earth for man contrasted with the everlasting and steadfast love that the Lord has for His people.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.