Psalms 103:8-10

8 The LORD is 1compassionate and gracious, 2Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He 3will not always strive with us, Nor will He 4keep His anger forever.
10 He has 5not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

Psalms 103:8-10 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.

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Cross References 5

  • 1. Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:15; Jonah 4:2; James 5:11
  • 2. Psalms 145:8; Joel 2:13; Nahum 1:3
  • 3. Psalms 30:5; Isaiah 57:16
  • 4. Jeremiah 3:5, 12; Micah 7:18
  • 5. Ezra 9:13; Lamentations 3:22
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