Psalms 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Psalmist highlights that God's compassion isn't just a general attribute; it's specifically directed towards those who "fear" Him, meaning those who reverently trust and obey Him. This verse underscores that God's paternal tenderness is reserved for His children, not as a reward for perfection, but as an extension of His loving care for those who seek Him.
This verse comes right after the psalm exalts God's abundant mercy and forgiveness towards His people. It then pivots to describe how this divine compassion is expressed, likening it to the instinctive, tender care a father has for his children. This comparison helps explain God's deep, patient, and understanding response to those who honor Him, even amidst their human frailty and failures.
Understand the original words
racham · Hebrew Verb/Noun
Describes the deep, visceral, and tender affection of a parent toward their offspring, often linked to mercy, pity, and active intervention on behalf of those who are suffering or weak.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM, who revealed Himself to Moses. It signifies God's self-existent, eternal, and faithful nature.
This parable vividly illustrates the Father's compassionate heart, mirroring the psalmist's comparison by showing a father eagerly running to embrace and forgive his prodigal son.
Deuteronomy 32:6This passage directly calls Israel to recognize God as their Father and Creator, highlighting His compassion and possession of them, much like the intimate father-child relationship described in the psalm.
Hebrews 12:28This New Testament text speaks of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and serving God with reverence and godly fear, echoing the 'fear of the Lord' mentioned in Psalm 103 and God's gracious response to it.
Isaiah 63:16Here, God is addressed as Father and Redeemer, with a direct plea that He would not harden hearts, showing a profound connection between God's fatherly role and His deep compassion for His people.
Matthew 7:11Jesus uses the human father as a benchmark for God's goodness, emphasizing that earthly fathers give good gifts to their children, and infinitely more so will the Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him, reinforcing the analogy of God's paternal compassion.
pulpitPsalms 103:13: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
Verse 13. - Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him (comp. Deuteronomy 32:6; Job 10:8; Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8, etc.). (For the nature of the "fear" spoken of, both here and in ver. 11, see the description in vers. 17, 18.) It must be a fear that produces obedience, or, in New Testament phrase, that is a "godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28).
gillPsalms 103:13: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
Like as a father pitieth his children,.... When in any affliction, disorder, or distress: the Lord stands in the relation of a Father to his people; they are his children by adopting grace, through the covenant of grace with them; by a sovereign act of his own will he puts them among the children, predestinates them to the adoption of children; and sends his Son to redeem them, that they might receiv…
The Psalmist highlights that God's compassion isn't just a general attribute; it's specifically directed towards those who "fear" Him, meaning those who reverently trust and obey Him. This verse underscores that God's paternal tenderness is reserved for His children, not as a reward for perfection, but as an extension of His loving care for those who seek Him.
This verse comes right after the psalm exalts God's abundant mercy and forgiveness towards His people. It then pivots to describe how this divine compassion is expressed, likening it to the instinctive, tender care a father has for his children. This comparison helps explain God's deep, patient, and understanding response to those who honor Him, even amidst their human frailty and failures.
This verse comes right after the psalm exalts God's abundant mercy and forgiveness towards His people. It then pivots to describe this divine compassion is expressed, likening it to the instinctive, tender care a father has for his children. This comparison helps explain God's deep, patient, and understanding response to those who honor Him, even amidst their human frailty and failures.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 103:13 is available in the Sola app.
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him." — The Psalmist highlights that God's compassion isn't just a general attribute; it's specifically directed towards those who "fear" Him, meaning those who reverently trust and obey Him. This verse unde…
