11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth , So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west , So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children , So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame ; He is mindful that we are but dust . 15 As for man , his days are like grass ; As a flower of the field , so he flourishes . 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more , And its place acknowledges it no longer . 17 But the lovingkindness 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 His precepts to do them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:11-18
Commentary on Psalm 103:6-14
(Read Psalm 103:6-14)
Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. He has revealed himself and his grace to them. By his ways we may understand his precepts, the ways he requires us to walk in; and his promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion. How unlike are those to God, who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to cease! What would become of us, if God should deal so with us? The Scripture says a great deal of the mercy of God, and we all have experienced it. The father pities his children that are weak in knowledge, and teaches them; pities them when they are froward, and bears with them; pities them when they are sick, and comforts them; pities them when they are fallen, and helps them to rise; pities them when they have offended, and, upon their submission, forgives them; pities them when wronged, and rights them: thus the Lord pities those that fear him. See why he pities. He considers the frailty of our bodies, and the folly of our souls, how little we can do, how little we can bear; in all which his compassion appears.
Commentary on Psalm 103:15-18
(Read Psalm 103:15-18)
How short is man's life, and uncertain! The flower of the garden is commonly more choice, and will last the longer, for being sheltered by the garden-wall, and the gardener's care; but the flower of the field, to which life is here compared, is not only withering in itself, but exposed to the cold blasts, and liable to be cropt and trod on by the beasts of the field. Such is man. God considers this, and pities him; let him consider it himself. God's mercy is better than life, for it will outlive it. His righteousness, the truth of his promise, shall be unto children's children, who tread in the footsteps of their forefathers' piety. Then shall mercy be preserved to them.