Midras Mazmur 103:2: Vayikra Rabbah & Midrash Tehillim

Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: David said: “Bless the Lord, my soul” five times, corresponding to the five books of the Torah. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Corresponding to the five worlds that a person sees. “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name” (Psalms 103:1); when one is located in his mother’s womb. “Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all His acts of kindness” (Psalms 103:2); when he leaves his mother’s womb he says to [his soul]: Do not forget all the acts of kindness that He performed for you. “[Bless the Lord, all of His works, in all places of His dominion.] Bless the Lord, my soul” (Psalms 103:22); when a person reaches his stature²⁴As an adult. and emerges to engage in commerce. “Bless the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, You are greatly exalted” (Psalms 104:1); at the moment when a person passes from the world. And one in the future, “May sinners be eradicated from the earth, and may the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, my soul. Halleluya” (Psalms 104:35).
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: David recited one hundred and twenty psalms²⁵This is apparently an error, as this verse appears at the conclusion of Psalm 104. The Gemara in Berakhot 9b states: “David recited one hundred and three chapters, but did not recite Halleluya until he saw the downfall of the wicked.” and did not conclude them with Halleluya until he saw the downfall of the wicked, as it is stated: “May sinners be eradicated from the earth…[Halleluya].”

"Reward Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word." This is what Isaiah said (Isaiah 59:18), "According to their deeds, so will He repay wrath to His adversaries." The Lord pays the wicked according to their deeds, and to the righteous, He pays them according to their works. He pays the wicked (Isaiah 34:5), "For My sword shall be bathed in heaven; behold it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of My curse, to judgment." And He rewards the righteous, as it says in Psalm 73:1, "Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart." And it says in Isaiah 63:7, "I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving-kindnesses." The Lord does not pay anything for free, neither to the wicked nor to the righteous. The evil that comes upon the wicked is not brought upon them by the Lord. As it says in Lamentations 3:38, "Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not evil and good." But they bring it upon themselves. And it says in Isaiah 3:9, "The shew of their countenance doth witness against them." What does He reward the righteous with? Life, without any charge. And it says in Psalm 103:2-4, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction." And not only this, but He does many righteous deeds, as it says in Psalm 146:7, "The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." And it says in Psalm 116:7, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." And David said to the Lord, "Reward Your servant with life, that I may keep Your word." And why does He reward me with life? Because I keep Your word. Life is the Torah. And it says in Proverbs 4:13, "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life." Therefore it is said, "Recompense on Your servant, I will live." David said to him, "Master of the universe, it is Your will that I keep Your word. Unveil my eyes that I may perceive wonders from Your Torah. And if You do not unveil my eyes, how can I know? Therefore it is said, 'Unveil my eyes and I will perceive wonders.' Even though my eyes are open, I know nothing. Come and see, even though Samuel was a prophet, he knew nothing until the Holy One, blessed be He, unveiled his ear, as it is said (I Samuel 9:15), 'And the Lord had revealed to Samuel.' Likewise, Nebuchadnezzar said (Daniel 2:47), 'Truly your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries.' And so did Daniel say (Daniel 2:30), 'But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living man, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king.' And he said (Daniel 2:22), 'And He reveals the deep and secret things.' So did David say, 'Unveil my eyes that I may perceive wonders from Your Torah.' And why does he say (Psalms 119:129), 'Your testimonies are wonderful?' 'Wonderful' refers to the Torah. And so the Scripture says, 'Wonderful are Your testimonies.' Therefore it is said, 'Wonders from Your Torah are treasures.' And so the Scripture says (Proverbs 21:20), 'A desirable treasure.' It is a hidden treasure, as the Scripture says (Deuteronomy 33:19), 'And of the hidden treasures of the sand.' There are many doors and many entrances in it, as it says (Psalms 24:7-8), 'Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!' And so David said, 'The Torah is full of wonders.' Moses said, 'It is not a wonder from you, as it says (Deuteronomy 30:11), 'For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you.' It is not too hard for you, but it is a wonder from you, because you did not toil in it. Therefore it is said, 'Wonders from Your Torah.'...