For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him (comp. Psalms 36:5 , "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds"). The metaphor is bold, yet inadequate; for God's mercy is infinite. read more
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. God's mercy is the cause, the removal of sin the result. The two are commensurate, and are "described by the largest measures which the earth can afford." read more
Limitless forgiveness. What figures will best suggest the entireness of the removal of man's sin, when God, in his infinite goodness and mercy, deals with it and removes it? That question is specially interesting because, when man is forgiven his sin, he finds it so hard to get rid of the memory of it. In a sense it may be said that a man "never forgives himself." There is always, therefore, the danger that a man will transfer his own feeling to God, and persuade himself that, though God... read more
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him (comp. Deuteronomy 32:6 ; Job 10:8 ; Isaiah 29:16 ; Isaiah 63:16 ; Isaiah 64:8 , etc.). (For the nature of the "fear" spoken of, both here and in Psalms 103:11 , see the description in Psalms 103:17 , Psalms 103:18 .) It must be a fear that produces obedience, or, in New Testament phrase, that is a "godly fear" ( Hebrews 12:28 ). read more
The pity of God. I. THE FULL , CLEAR DECLARATION OF THIS IS FOUND ONLY IN THE BALE . 1 . It is not in ancient mythology. The gods of the heathen were strong and much else, but not pitiful. 2 . Nor in Nature. How heartless, how cruel, how utterly unsympathizing, she is! The dearly loved, the precious, the innocent, suffer, die in thousands, and Nature has not a solitary tear for them. 3 . Nor in society. Law, the bond of society, cannot pity, it... read more
The pity of the Lord. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." In the Old Testament revelation of God there are bursts and flashes of light in startling contrast to the ordinary conceptions of him under that dispensation. There are grand conceptions of his power, omniscience, wisdom, and providence prevailing; but sometimes there are the tenderer conceptions of his goodness and mercy, as in the Psalms and prophets. I. THE REASONS OF GOD ... read more
Wherefore another gospel when we have this? It should seem as if no gospel could be more full, precious, clear, and heart uplifting than this. It is paralleled but not surpassed by St. John's word, "God is love." Why, then, was it needful for Christ to come in order to reveal to us another gospel? Have we not everything here, in this utterance of the Old Testament, and in those others in the same Old Testament, which are like unto it? What more, then, could be needed? We reply— I. THE... read more
For as the heaven is high above the earth - See the notes at Psalms 57:10. Compare the notes at Isaiah 55:9. The literal translation of the phrase here would be, “For like the height of the heavens above the earth.” The heavens - the starry heavens - are the highest objects of which we have any knowledge; and hence, the comparison is used to denote the great mercy of God - meaning that it is as great as can be conceived; that there is nothing beyond it; that we cannot imagine that it could be... read more
As far as the east is from the west - As far as possible; as far as we can imagine. These are the points in our apprehension most distant from each other, and as we can conceive nothing beyond them, so the meaning is, that we cannot imagine our sins could be more effectually removed than they are. The literal meaning of the Hebrew is, “like the distance of the east from the west” or, “like its being far.”So far hath he removed our transgressions from us - That is, he has put them entirely away.... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:6-18
The confidence of God's children. These strong, sustaining words call us to consider— I. TO WHOM THE DIVINE ASSURANCES ARE GIVEN . It is clear that they are given to the servants of God. The thought runs through the whole passage (see Psalms 103:11 , Psalms 103:13 , Psalms 103:18 ). Where this is not explicitly stated, it is to be understood (see particularly Psalms 103:12 ). Those may not claim the fulfilment of promises to whom they were not made. First enter... read more