God’s Word Translation
Psalms 103:13
13As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Psalms 103:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
- New International Version (NIV)As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
- English Standard Version (ESV)As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
Context of Psalms 103:13
11As high as the heavens are above the earth— that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west— that is how far he has removed our rebellious acts from himself. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. 14He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust. 15Human life is as short-lived as grass. It blossoms like a flower in the field.
Read all of Psalms 103Psalms 103:13 word by word
כְּרַחֵ֣ם אָ֭ב עַל־בָּנִ֑ים רִחַ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה עַל־יְרֵאָֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 103:13
- Numbers 11:12Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms—as a nurse carries a baby—all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath?
- Deuteronomy 3:5All of these cities were fortified with high walls and double-door gates with bars across the gates. We also captured a large number of unwalled villages.
- Proverbs 3:12because the Lord warns the one he loves, even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.
- Isaiah 63:15Look down and see from heaven, from your holy and beautiful dwelling. Where is your determination and might? Where is the longing of your heart and your compassion? Don’t hold back.
- Jeremiah 31:9They will cry as they return. They will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams on a level path where they will not stumble. I will be a Father to Israel, and Ephraim will be my firstborn.
- Matthew 6:9“This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.
- Luke 11:11“If your child asks you, his father, for a fish, would you give him a snake instead?
- Luke 16:21Lazarus would have eaten any scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Lazarus was covered with sores, and dogs would lick them.
- John 20:17Jesus told her, “Don’t hold on to me. I have not yet gone to the Father. But go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
- Hebrews 12:5You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: “My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don’t give up when he corrects you.
- Psalms 103:11As high as the heavens are above the earth— that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him.
- Psalms 147:11The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, with those who wait with hope for his mercy.
- Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord paid attention and listened. A book was written in his presence to be a reminder to those who feared the Lord and respected his name.
- Malachi 4:2“The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings for you people who fear my name. You will go out and leap like calves let out of a stall.
- Acts 13:26“Brothers—descendants of Abraham and converts to Judaism—the message that God saves people was sent to us.
Commentaries on Psalms 103:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Like 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Like as a father pitieth his children - Hebrew, “Like the compassion of a father for his children.” See the notes at Matthew 7:7-11. God often compares himself with a father, and it is by carrying out our ideas of what enters into the parental character that we get our best conceptions of the character of God. See the notes at Matthew 6:9. That which is referred to here, is the natural affection of the parent for the child; the tender love which is borne…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. He has revealed himself and his grace to them. By his ways we may understand his precepts, the ways he requires us to walk in; and his promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion. How unlike are those to God, who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to cease! What would become of us, if God should deal so with us? The Scripture says a great deal…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13The Lord is like a father to his children. This idea is central to the teachings of Jesus about God's fatherhood (see Matthew 5:43–48; 6:1; 10:19–20; 12:50; Luke 6:36; 12:29–32; John 8:31–59; 15:1–8; see also 2 Samuel 7:14; Jeremiah 3:19; 31:9; Malachi 1:6; 2 Corinthians 6:16–18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. pitieth--literally, "has compassion on."Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 103:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 103
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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