Psalm 103:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 103:6-18

Hitherto the psalmist had only looked back upon his own experiences and thence fetched matter for praise; here he looks abroad and takes notice of his favour to others also; for in them we should rejoice and give thanks for them, all the saints being fed at a common table and sharing in the same blessings. I. Truly God is good to all (Ps. 103:6): He executes righteousness and judgment, not only for his own people, but for all that are oppressed; for even in common providence he is the patron... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:11

For as the heaven is high above the earth ,.... Which is the greatest distance known, or can be conceived of; the space between the heaven and the earth is seemingly almost infinite; and nothing can more illustrate the mercy of God, which reaches to the heavens, and is in heaven; though this is but a faint representation of the largeness and abundance of it, and which indeed is boundless and infinite: so great is his mercy towards them that fear him, or, his mercy hath prevailed over them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:12

As far as the east is from the west ,.... Which Kimchi thinks is mentioned because it contains the length of the habitable world; and therefore it is not said as far as the north is from the south; since a man can go from east to west, but not from north to south, because of the extreme heat and cold. But this distance is not given with respect to those opposite parts of the earth, which scarcely exceed 12700 miles; but with respect to those opposite points in the heavens: and the meaning... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:11

For as the heaven is high above the earth - Great and provoking as our crimes may have been, yet his mercies have, in their magnitude and number, surpassed these, as far as the heavens are elevated beyond the earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:12

As far as the east is from the west - As the east and the west can never meet in one point, but be for ever at the same distance from each other, so our sins and their decreed punishment are removed to an eternal distance by his mercy. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:11

Verse 11 11.For in proportion to the height of the heavens above the earth The Psalmist here confirms by a comparison the truth that God does not punish the faithful as they have deserved, but, by his mercy, strives against their sins. The form of expression is equivalent to saying that God’s mercy towards us is infinite. With respect to the word גבר, gabar, it is of little consequence whether it is taken in a neuter signification, or in a transitive, as is noted on the margin; for in either... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:1-22

The psalm divides itself into four portions: the first ( Psalms 103:1-5 ) an outburst of praise for blessings granted by God to each man severally; the second ( Psalms 103:6-14 ) an enumeration of his loving kindnesses towards his Church as a whole; the third ( Psalms 103:15-18 ) a representation of man's weakness and dependence on God; and the fourth ( Psalms 103:19-22 ) a glance at God's unchanging glory, and a call upon all his creation to bless and worship him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:12

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

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