When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. Psalm 103:16 NASB It is no more – Where will you be when it’s over? According to this psalm, you and I will be ‘ene—nowhere! The root is ‘ayin. “This word is basically a negative substantive used…
As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. Psalm 103:15 NASB Like grass – David has just drawn a subtle but important link between “frame,” “dust” and the yetser ha’ra. We were made for struggle. Struggle is who we are. Life on earth is not heaven…
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14 NASB Our frame – God may be the only person in the universe who loves dust. Of course, He shaped that dust into something that resembles Him, but David reminds us that He hasn’t forgotten what we are made…
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NASB Compassion – It goes without saying (but it is worth saying anyway) that David knew the connection between raham and rehem (or the other meaning of raham, with the vowel patach rather than…
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 NASB Removed – How far is sunrise from sunset? A day’s journey? Or is it more than that? Is it a distance that cannot be traversed? Does sunrise ever meet sunset to share a moment…
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11 NASB Lovingkindness – hesed, of course. What else could David enlist that would cause YHVH to remain faithfully connected to such a sinner? Hesed has been thoroughly investigated by scholars. In fact, hundreds…
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10 NASB Has not dealt – The first thing to notice is that the subject/verb is not in the primary position in the text. What comes first is “not” (lo). This is crucial. There are two words…
He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Psalm 103:9 NASB Keep – How long will God stay angry? Answering that question seems to be behind the usual translations of this verse. For example, TEV renders the verse, “He does not keep on rebuking; he is not angry forever.”…
He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Psalm 103:9 NASB Strive – The Hebrew word rib is about combat. In its primary sense, it describes physical battle, often between two single opponents. Of course, it also includes verbal combat, contention, debate and arguing. “By another easy transition it…
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8 NASB Lord is – David read Moses. He must have since this verse is a direct quote from Exodus 34:6. In order to support his previous claim that the revelation of Moses disclosed the standards of God’s ways, David cites…
