Psalms 103:4

4 He keeps back your life from destruction, crowning you with mercy and grace.

Psalms 103:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 103:4

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction
Not from temporal destruction, to which the natural life is subject, through diseases, dangerous occurrences, and the malice of enemies; to be delivered from which is a blessing, and for which God is to be praised; but from eternal destruction, the destruction of the body and soul in hell; and so the Targum,

``who redeemest thy life from hell;''

to which destruction all men are liable through sin; their ways lead unto it, and grace only prevents it: the people of God are redeemed from sin, the cause of it; and from the curse of the law, in the execution of which it lies; and from Satan, the executor of it; and all this by Christ, who is the Redeemer appointed and sent, and who being mighty, and so equal to the work, has obtained eternal redemption; through which the saints are secure from going down to the pit of destruction, or from wrath to come; and this is a blessing they can never be enough thankful for; see ( Luke 1:68 ) ( Revelation 5:9 ) ,

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
with all other blessings which flow from the lovingkindness and tender mercy of God, even all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David; all the spiritual blessings with which the saints are blessed in Christ, the grace given them in him, and the mercy kept with him for evermore; all things pertaining to life and godliness given in regeneration; the fruits of great love and abundant mercy, with all the other supplies of grace between that and eternal glory: "crowning" with these denotes an application and enjoyment of them, the great plenty and abundance of them, a being surrounded and loaded with them; as also the honour that goes along with them, which makes those that have them great and glorious, rich and honourable; as well as preservation and protection by them; these encompassing about as a crown the head, and as a shield the body; see ( Psalms 5:12 ) , where the same word is used as here.

Psalms 103:4 In-Context

2 Give praise to the Lord, O my soul; let not all his blessings go from your memory.
3 He has forgiveness for all your sins; he takes away all your diseases;
4 He keeps back your life from destruction, crowning you with mercy and grace.
5 He makes your mouth full of good things, so that your strength is made new again like the eagle's.
6 The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble.
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