Devine Scripture

Psalms 103:13

What does Psalms 103:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 103:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 103:13 means

This verse offers a tender and relatable analogy: just as an earthly father has compassion on his children, so does the Lord pity those who revere Him. This comparison speaks to God's deep, protective, and empathetic love. His pity is not condescending but is born of a profound understanding and care, mirroring the natural affection and concern a good parent feels for their offspring. It underscores the personal, nurturing aspect of God's relationship with His faithful ones.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As a father has pity on his children, so the Lord has pity on his worshippers.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

As a father hath mercy on sons, Jehovah hath mercy on those fearing Him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

As a father pitieth [his] children, so Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

Context

After declaring the boundless nature of God's forgiveness and lovingkindness in verses 11 and 12, this verse shifts to explaining the *source* of that mercy: God's compassionate, fatherly heart. It provides a foundational reason for His grace, which is then further elaborated in verse 14 by acknowledging His intimate knowledge of human weakness, setting the stage for the contrast between human frailty and divine eternality.

v.12As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

v.13This passage

v.14For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 63:15

    Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where are thy zeal and thy mighty acts? the yearning of thy heart and thy compassions are restrained toward me.

  • Malachi 3:16

    Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

  • Luke 11:11

    And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent?

  • Deuteronomy 3:5

    All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; besides the unwalled towns a great many.

  • Malachi 4:2

    But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

  • Psalms 147:11

    Jehovah taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his lovingkindness.

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