Psalms 103:13-14

13 Just 1as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For 2He Himself knows our frame; He 3is mindful that we are but 4dust.

Psalms 103:13-14 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 4

  • 1. Malachi 3:17
  • 2. Isaiah 29:16
  • 3. Psalms 78:39
  • 4. Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7

Footnotes 2

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