Devine Scripture

Psalms 103:14

What does Psalms 103:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 103:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 103:14 means

This verse reveals the divine reason for God's fatherly pity: He intimately knows humanity's fragile constitution, remembering that we are merely dust. This acknowledges our inherent weakness, transience, and dependence. God's compassionate understanding stems from His Creator's knowledge of our limited nature, our earthly origins, and our mortal limitations. He doesn't expect us to be more than we are, and this understanding informs His merciful dealings with us.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For he has knowledge of our feeble frame; he sees that we are only dust.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For He hath known our frame, Remembering that we <FI>are<Fi> dust.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For himself knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Context

Following the beautiful analogy of God's fatherly pity in verse 13, this verse provides the theological grounding for that pity: God's intimate knowledge of human frailty. This explanation of human weakness serves as a direct contrast to the eternal and unchanging nature of God, which is then explicitly developed in verses 15-17, highlighting the vast difference between mortal man and the everlasting Lord.

v.13Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

v.14This passage

v.15As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Cross references

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

  • Job 7:21

    And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be.

  • Job 10:9

    Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7

    and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.

  • Psalms 89:47

    Oh remember how short my time is: For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!

  • Genesis 3:19

    in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Psalms 78:38

    But he, being merciful, forgave theiriniquity, and destroyedthemnot: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Psalms 103

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Psalms 103.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Psalms 103:14.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary