Psalms 103:4

4 he redeems your life from the pit, he surrounds you with grace and compassion,

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 Bless ADONAI, my soul, and forget none of his benefits!
3 He forgives all your offenses, he heals all your diseases,
4 he redeems your life from the pit, he surrounds you with grace and compassion,
5 he contents you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle's.
6 ADONAI brings vindication and justice to all who are oppressed.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.