Psalm 103:8-18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.(A)
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.(B)
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our iniquities.(C)
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;(D)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.(E)
13 As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.(F)
14 For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.(G)
15 As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;(H)
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.(I)
Psalm 103:8-18
The Message
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson