New International Version
Psalms 103:13
13As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
Context of Psalms 103:13
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of 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 11:12Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?
- Deuteronomy 3:5All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages.
- Proverbs 3:12because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
- Isaiah 63:15Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.
- Jeremiah 31:9They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
- Matthew 6:9“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
- Luke 11:11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
- Luke 16:21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
- John 20:17Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
- Hebrews 12:5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
- Psalms 103:11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
- Psalms 147:11the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
- Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
- Malachi 4:2But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
- Acts 13:26“Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
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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