Verse

Psalm 103:6

ESV The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
NIV The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
NASB The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.
CSB The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
NLT The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
KJV The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
NKJV The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

What does Psalm 103:6 mean?

Prior verses contained David's personal reasons for honoring God. Here, David moves from personal to general statements about God's governance. His direction of the world is another reason for Israel to praise Him.

David states that God performs righteous deeds and justice. Israel had many opportunities to observe God's righteous deeds. From His call of Abraham to the time of David, God performed righteous acts on behalf of the nation. He delivered the nation from slavery in Egypt (Judges 6:9) and provided miraculously for the Israelites in the wilderness by supplying water from a rock (Exodus 17:1–6), manna from heaven (Exodus 16:15–16), and abundant quail for meat (Exodus 16:13).

God also judged Israel's wicked enemies and punished those who violated His covenant. He displayed His justice for His oppressed people by rescuing them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2) and later, in the era of the Judges, by repeatedly delivering them from their oppressive enemy nations. He had also commanded His people to show kindness and generosity to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7–11).
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Context Summary
Psalm 103:6–19 reflects on the Lord's benefits to Israel. Deuteronomy 6:1–15 contains the Lord's promise to bless the people of Israel if they would obey him. Psalm 105 and 106 are companion psalms that stress the Lord's goodness to Israel.
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Chapter Summary
Psalm 103 praises God for what He has done. This includes celebration of His personal influence, as well as the way God has blessed the nation of Israel. David encourages praises from himself, from the people in general, and even from the angels and hosts of heaven.
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