Psalms – Chapter 102

Old Testament22 Verses

1For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.

3Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.

4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

5Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.

6The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.

7He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.

8The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

9He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.

10He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.

12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.

13As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:

14For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:

15Man's days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.

16For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.

17But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children's children,

18To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.

19The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.

20Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.

21Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.

22Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 102 presents themes of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God that Catholic tradition has long cherished. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The teaching that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Deepen your understanding with these related articles