Psalm 103:13-16 NIV

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 103:13

Like as a father pitieth his children ,.... When in any affliction, disorder, or distress: the Lord stands in the relation of a Father to his people; they are his children by adopting grace, through the covenant of grace with them; by a sovereign act of his own will he puts them among the children, predestinates them to the adoption of children; and sends his Son to redeem them, that they might receive it, and his Spirit to bear witness to their spirits, that they are his children; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:14

For he knoweth our frame ,.... The outward frame of their bodies, what brittle ware, what earthen vessels, they be; he being the potter, they the clay, he knows what they are able to bear, and what not; that if he lays his hand too heavy, or strikes too hard, or repeats his strokes too often, they will fall in pieces: he knows the inward frame of their minds, the corruption of their nature, how prone they are to sin; and therefore does not expect perfect services from them: how impotent they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:15

As for man, his days are as grass ,.... He himself is like the grass which springs out of the earth; continues on it for a time, and then drops into it; the continuance of the grass is very short, it flourishes in the morning, is cut down at evening, and withers; see Psalm 90:5 . As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth; which denotes the goodliness of man, and describes him in his best estate, as possessed of health, riches, honour, and all the gifts and endowments of nature; and yet,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ,.... A stormy wind, as the Targum, which tears it up by its roots, or blows off the flower, and it is seen no more; or a blighting easterly wind, which, blowing on it, shrivels it up, and it dies at once; such an one as blasted the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh's dream, Genesis 41:23 or any impetuous, drying, and noxious wind: and so when the east wind of adversity passes over a man, his riches, and honour, and estate, are presently gone; or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:13

Like as a father pitieth his children - This is a very emphatic verse, and may be thus translated: "As the tender compassions of a father towards his children; so the tender compassicns of Jehovah towards them that fear him." Nothing can place the tenderness and concern of God for his creatures in a stronger light than this. What yearnings of bowels does a father feel toward the disobedient child, who, sensible of his ingratitude and disobedience, falls at his parent's feet, covered with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:14

For he knoweth our frame - יצרנו yitsrenu , "our formation;" the manner in which we are constructed, and the materials of which we are made. He knows we cannot contend with him, and if he uses his power against us, we must be crushed to destruction. In all his conduct towards us he considers the frailty of our nature, the untowardness of our circumstances, the strength and subtlety of temptation, and the sure party (till the heart is renewed) that the tempter has within us. Though all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:15

His days are as grass - See the note on Psalm 90:5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:16

The wind passeth over it - Referring perhaps to some blasting pestilential wind. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:13

Verse 13 13.As a father is compassionate towards his children, The Psalmist not only explains by a comparison what he has already stated, but he at the same time assigns the cause why God so graciously forgives us, which is, because he is a father It is then in consequence of God’s having freely and sovereignly adopted us as his children that he continually pardons our sins, and accordingly we are to draw from that fountain the hope of forgiveness. And as no man has been adopted on the ground... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:13

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