8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Other Translations of Psalm 103:8

King James Version

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

English Standard Version

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Message

8 God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love.

New King James Version

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

New Living Translation

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:8

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.

4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Other Translations of Psalm 111:4

King James Version

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

English Standard Version

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

The Message

4 His miracles are his memorial - This God of Grace, this God of Love.

New King James Version

4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

New Living Translation

4 He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord !

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 111:4

Chapter Contents

The Lord is to be praised for his works.

The psalmist resolves to praise God himself. Our exhortations and our examples should agree together. He recommends the works of the Lord, as the proper subject, when we are praising him; and the dealings of his providence toward the world, the church, and particular persons. All the works of the Lord are spoken of as one, it is his work; so admirably do all the dispensations of his providence centre in one design. The works of God, humbly and diligently sought into, shall all be found just and holy. God's pardoning sin is the most wonderful of all his works, and ought to be remembered to his glory. He will ever be mindful of his covenant; he has ever been so, and he ever will be so. His works of providence were done according to the truth of the Divine promises and prophecies, and so were verity, or truth; and by him who has a right to dispose of the earth as he pleases, and so are judgment, or righteous: and this holds good of the work of grace upon the heart of man, verses 7,8. All God's commandments are sure; all have been fulfilled by Christ, and remain with him for a rule of walk and conversation to us. He sent redemption unto his people, out of Egypt at first, and often afterwards; and these were typical of the great redemption, which in the fulness of time was to be wrought out by the Lord Jesus. Here his everlasting righteousness shines forth in union with his boundless mercy. No man is wise who does not fear the Lord; no man acts wisely except as influenced by that fear. This fear will lead to repentance, to faith in Christ, to watchfulness and obedience. Such persons are of a good understanding, however poor, unlearned, or despised.