Psalms 103:11-21

11 For as high 1as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He 2removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just 3as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For 4He Himself knows our frame; He 5is mindful that we are but 6dust.
15 As for man, his days are 7like grass; As a 8flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the 9wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its 10place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the 11lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness 12to children's children,
18 To 13those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.
19 The LORD has established His 14throne in the heavens, And His 15sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you 16His angels, 17Mighty in strength, who 18perform His word, 19Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you 20His hosts, You 21who serve Him, doing His will.

Images for Psalms 103:11-21

Psalms 103:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 103

\\<>\\. The Targum adds, ``spoken in prophecy,'' as doubtless it was, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Some think it was written by David, after a fit of illness, and his recovery from it, since he speaks of his diseases being healed, and his youth renewed; for which reason the Syriac interpreter suggests it was written in his old age; for he makes the subject of the psalm to be, ``concerning coldness which prevailed upon him in old age;'' but rather he wrote it when his heart was warm with a sense of the love of God, and spiritual blessings of grace flowing from thence; and in it celebrates and sings the benefits of New Testament times; and it is a psalm suitable to be sung by every believer, under a quick sense of divine favours: wherefore the above interpreter better adds, ``also an instruction and thanksgiving by men of God;'' whom the psalmist may very well be thought to personate, even in Gospel times; and much rather than the Jews in captivity, as Kimchi thinks.

Cross References 21

  • 1. Psalms 36:5; Psalms 57:10
  • 2. 2 Samuel 12:13; Isaiah 38:17; Isaiah 43:25; Zechariah 3:9; Hebrews 9:26
  • 3. Malachi 3:17
  • 4. Isaiah 29:16
  • 5. Psalms 78:39
  • 6. Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7
  • 7. Psalms 90:5; Isaiah 40:6; 1 Peter 1:24
  • 8. Job 14:2; James 1:10, 11
  • 9. Isaiah 40:7
  • 10. Job 7:10; Job 8:18; Job 20:9
  • 11. Psalms 25:6
  • 12. Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; Psalms 105:8
  • 13. Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 25:10
  • 14. Psalms 11:4
  • 15. Psalms 47:2, 8; Daniel 4:17, 25
  • 16. Psalms 148:2
  • 17. Psalms 29:1; Psalms 78:25
  • 18. Matthew 6:10
  • 19. Psalms 91:11; Hebrews 1:14
  • 20. 1 Kings 22:19; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalms 148:2; Luke 2:13
  • 21. Psalms 104:4

Footnotes 7

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