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Epiphany Season · Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13 (8a)

Bless the Lord, Who Pardons All Your Iniquities

February 22, 2026

The Return of the Prodigal Son, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Return of the Prodigal Son, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1667-1670National Gallery of Art, Washington
The father already has hold of him before he can finish the speech he prepared, and behind them the household is coming out with the robe, the ring and the sandals, and the calf is being led in at the left.As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.Bartolomé Esteban MurilloMurillo, who put the ragged son on his knees and let the father do the moving.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonThe National Gallery of Art in Washington.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:38-48Mt 5:38-48
Second Reading1 Cor. 3:16-231 Cor 3:16-23
First ReadingLev. 19:1-2, 17-18Lv 19:1-2, 17-18
Responsorial PsalmPs. 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13 (8a)Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13 (8a)

Overview & Insights

"As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)

David calls his whole being to bless the Lord, then lists the Lord's benefits: forgiveness, healing, and a mercy that does not deal with Israel according to its sins. The psalm grounds that mercy in God's own self-description to Moses as merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

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Take it further: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13 (8a)

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13Commentary on Ps 103:[1-7] 8-13 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on this same psalm passage from its other place in the lectionary, on the Lord's mercy and pardon.

Psalm 103 CommentaryPs 103 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse reading of the psalm's praise for the Lord who pardons and heals.

Psalm 103 - Barnes' NotesPs 103 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes verse by verse on the mercy that removes our transgressions as far as east is from west.

Psalm 103:1 CommentariesPs 103:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on the call to bless the Lord and forget none of his benefits.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 103Ps 103 Sefaria

Hebrew text alongside English for David's psalm of praise for the Lord's mercy.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 103Ps 103 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on Psalm 103.

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