Psalms 103:10-20

10 He has not treated us as we deserve for our sins or paid us back for our wrongs.

11 As high as the heavens are above the earth-- that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west-- that is how far he has removed our rebellious acts from himself.

13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.

14 He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust.

15 Human life is as short-lived as grass. It blossoms like a flower in the field.

16 When the wind blows over the flower, it disappears, and there is no longer any sign of it.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD's mercy is on those who fear him. His righteousness belongs to their children and grandchildren,

18 to those who are faithful to his promise, to those who remember to follow his guiding principles.

19 The LORD has set his throne in heaven. His kingdom rules everything.

20 Praise the LORD, all his angels, you mighty beings who carry out his orders and are ready to obey his spoken orders.

Psalms 103:10-20 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.