Psalm 103 continued

The next group of verses continues how the love of God is shown. Every place wherein the NIV translates the word love, the KJV says mercy. (Except v. 4 where it says he crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. And v. 8, as noted says compassionate in NIV instead of merciful. And v. 13 says pities in KJV instead of has compassion on.) Now I know there is a difference between mercy and love, but anyone reading this can only discern that so much mercy can only be from a loving heart.

Keep in mind, even in current usage that a dictionary holds several definitions for most words, allowing for slight changes in how it works in different sentences. Word studies, such as a Strong's, notes how each greek word was used from Homer to the Bible, and other writers over several centuries. Therefore the replacement between versions is decided by a team of experts who wrestle with accuracy, etc. Just as a translation of any book (even Green Eggs and Ham into Spanish-Juevos Verdes Con Hamon) sometimes misses slight connotations inherent in a word in one language, but not available in another.

I inform you of these changes so that you will not miss the other meanings also available.(This is why there is a Living Bible-using more common usage by paraphrasing, and an Amplified which expands the possible meanings.) I doubt this is something any Muslim would disagree with, for the Koran makes clear that the Lord is most merciful. However, the depth that this Psalm and the Bible goes into in showing faithful protection and affectionate provision, defies the belief that no one can know the Most High.


As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
For He knows how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field,
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting,
the Lord's love is with those who fear Him,
And His righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep His covenant,
and remember to obey His precepts. verses 13-18 NIV

The verses prior to that were discussing the height and depth of the love of God-as high as the heavens are above the earth, but verse 12 in KJV still agrees that He removes our transgressions from us-as far as the east is from the west. I hated to cut the sections in two, as they were deeply related.

He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Not because He doesn't care, or that He just tolerates sin. Not at all. He will not always chide (accuse) or keep His anger, because He is merciful. He knows our frame, He remembers that we are but dust.

Man is nothing. His days are like grass which grows in the dust as it is watered, and fed with seed by the farmer who watches over and nurtures it. The plant may even have some beauty in it as does a flower. It can grow strong and spread (flourish) over the field. But it is still weak and finite. The wind blows it down, the seasons change.

The flower may be replaced by others, but it is not remembered. The work of the farmer is what is remembered. In contrast, the life of man to that of a flower or piece of grass is much longer. So God's being (from everlasting to everlasting) continues as does the length of His work. So His mercy, goodness, righteousness-all His beauty for which we marvel, extends forever. We can depend upon it, claim it as a promise. If we love Him, fear Him, dwell in Him, then we can be assured of what His Word declares is available to those that fear Him.

He will throw our sins away (remove our transgressions, etc.) He will deliver us. Now remember, this started as instruction to worship-praise the Lord, why? Not just because you should, He's bigger than you and He might hurt you if you don't. But by literally listing reasons of how wonderful He is to us, reminding ourselves in case we start to take Him for granted, and in order to inform others of what a magnificent Being we worship. Anyone treating us this way naturally creates a bond of gratitude. We do not have to be browbeat to worship, it comes out of our hearts in response. Selah.