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
He hath not dealt with us after our sins - All may say this, and this “is” a ground of thanksgiving and praise. It is a matter for which we should render unceasing praise that God has not done to us as our sins deserved. Who of us can fail to stand in awe and to tremble when we think what God “might” have justly done to us; what sufferings he “might” have brought upon us, which would have been no more than we have deserved; what pain of body, what distress of mind, what anguish of bereavement -... 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
Psalms 103:8-10. The Lord is merciful and gracious See on Exodus 34:6. Slow to anger Not speedily punishing sinners, but patiently waiting for their repentance. He will not always chide Or contend by his judgments with sinners, but is ready to be reconciled to them, namely, upon their repentance, as is manifest from innumerable texts, and from the whole scope and design of the Scriptures. Neither will he keep his anger for ever The word anger, though not in the original, is... read more
Psalms 103:11-13. As the heaven, &c., so great is his mercy So much above our deserts and expectations, and above the mercy which one man shows to another; toward them that fear him Which clause he adds here, as also Psalms 103:17-18, to prevent men’s mistakes and abuses of God’s mercy, and to overthrow the vain hopes which impenitent sinners build thereon. As far as the east, &c., so far hath he removed our transgressions The guilt of our sins, from our persons and... read more
Psalms 103:0 God’s great loveRealizing how easily people forget God, David reminds himself of the many blessings, physical and spiritual, that God has given him. Gratefully, he praises God for them all (1-2). Sin, sickness and the prospect of a hopeless death have been replaced by forgiveness, good health and a renewed enjoyment of life (3-5).The constant love of God for his people is seen in the history of Israel. He cares for the oppressed and shows mercy on sinners (6-8). If God acted only... read more
sins. Hebrew. chata. App-44 . read more
great = mighty, or hath prevailed. toward = upon. fear = revere. read more
Psalms 103:11-13. For as the heaven is high, &c.— There cannot be a nobler amplification of the divine mercy and placability than that contained in the 11th and 12th verses: and what can equal the tenderness ascribed to our paternal Creator in the 13th? One would think it impossible, if daily experience did not convince us to the contrary, that human creatures should be regardless of such love, and ungrateful to so solicitous a benefactor! For my own part, I can hardly conceive it possible... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:10
The measure of the Divine dealings. The point made by the psalmist is that God's dealings with men are not measured with the same measure as man's dealings with his fellow men. If we think precisely we shall admit that God does deal exactly with us "after our sins;" but it is as our sins are divinely estimated. When man proceeds to recognize and punish sins, he deals with sins, rather than with sinners; and metes out his punishments according to standard, with no consideration for the... read more