Psalms 103:11-16

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

Images for Psalms 103:11-16

Psalms 103:11-16 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 10

  • 1. Psalms 13:5; Psalms 57:10; Psalms 100:5; Psalms 106:45; Psalms 117:2; Lamentations 3:22; Ephesians 3:18
  • 2. S 2 Chronicles 6:31
  • 3. S 2 Samuel 12:13; Romans 4:7; Ephesians 2:5
  • 4. Malachi 3:17; 1 John 3:1
  • 5. Psalms 119:73; Psalms 139:13-15; Isaiah 29:16
  • 6. S Genesis 2:7; S Psalms 146:4
  • 7. Psalms 37:2; Psalms 90:5; Psalms 102:11; Isaiah 40:6
  • 8. S Job 14:2; James 1:10; 1 Peter 1:24
  • 9. Isaiah 40:7; Haggai 1:9
  • 10. S Job 7:8; Job 7:10
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.