Psalm 103:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

NIV: He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

NASB: He will not always contend with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

CSB: He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.

NLT: He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

KJV: He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

NKJV: He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

Following his description of the Lord as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, David writes that God does not always "chide." The Hebrew word here is yā'rib, which implies a legal argument, accusation, or debate. God does not perpetually bring a court case against us. He certainly has enough evidence to condemn us, but He refuses to do so. He has a right to be angry with us, but He forgoes that right.

How do we, living so long after Israel, know that God is loving and merciful, even to sinners? The answer is Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins. On the cross he was made sin for us "so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The prophet Isaiah predicted the sufferings of Jesus on our behalf. He wrote in Isaiah 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Psalm 103:6–19 reflects on the Lord's benefits to Israel. Deuteronomy 6:1–15 contains the Lord's promise to bless the people of Israel if they would obey him. Psalm 105 and 106 are companion psalms that stress the Lord's goodness to Israel.

Psalm 103 praises God for what He has done. This includes celebration of His personal influence, as well as the way God has blessed the nation of Israel. David encourages praises from himself, from the people in general, and even from the angels and hosts of heaven.

Psalm 103 is one of four psalms which complete the fourth division of the book of Psalms (Psalms 90—106). These four psalms ascribe praise to the Lord. Psalm 103 was written by David and expresses his gratitude to the Lord for all His benefits. First Thessalonians 5:18 conveys the same theme of thanksgiving by exhorting believers to ''give thanks in all circumstances.''

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/3/2024 7:22:23 AM