Psalms 103:8
Psalms 103:8 in Multiple Translations
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.
The Lord is kind and full of pity, not quickly made angry, but ever ready to have mercy.
The Lord is kind and gracious, not quick-tempered, and full of trustworthy love.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercie, slowe to anger and of great kindnesse.
Merciful and gracious [is] Jehovah, Slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.
The mountains ascend, and the plains descend into the place which thou hast founded for them.
Yahweh acts mercifully and kindly; he does not quickly ◄get angry/punish us► when we sin; he is always showing us that he faithfully loves us.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 103:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 103:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רַח֣וּם
וְ/חַנּ֣וּן
יְהוָ֑ה
אֶ֖רֶךְ
אַפַּ֣יִם
וְ/רַב
חָֽסֶד
רַח֣וּם
rachûwm
H7349
compassionate
Adj
וְ/חַנּ֣וּן
channûwn
H2587
gracious
Conj | Adj
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶ֖רֶךְ
ʼârêk
H750
slow
Adj
אַפַּ֣יִם
ʼaph
H639
face
N-md
וְ/רַב
rab
H7227
many
Conj | Adj
חָֽסֶד
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 103:8
רַח֣וּם
rachûwm
H7349
"compassionate"
Adj
The Hebrew word for compassionate describes God's merciful nature. It is used to convey God's kindness and sympathy towards humanity, often in the context of his relationship with his people. This concept is central to the Bible's portrayal of God's character.
Definition: 1) compassionate 1a) always of God with one possible exception
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: full of compassion, merciful. See also: Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; Psalms 78:38.
וְ/חַנּ֣וּן
channûwn
H2587
"gracious"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for gracious describes God's kind and merciful nature, showing His love and care for humanity.
Definition: gracious
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: gracious. See also: Exodus 22:26; Psalms 103:8; Psalms 86:15.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶ֖רֶךְ
ʼârêk
H750
"slow"
Adj
This word describes something or someone as long or patient, often referring to God's slow anger. It is used to describe long pinions or being patient. The KJV translates it as long-suffering or patient.
Definition: 1) long (pinions) 2) patient, slow to anger
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger). See also: Exodus 34:6; Proverbs 15:18; Psalms 86:15.
אַפַּ֣יִם
ʼaph
H639
"face"
N-md
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
וְ/רַב
rab
H7227
"many"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
חָֽסֶד
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 103:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 103:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 103:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 103:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 103:8
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 103:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
- Sermons on Psalms 103:8
Context — Bless the LORD, O My Soul
6The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.
8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
9He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. 10He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 86:15 | But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. |
| 2 | Joel 2:13 | So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. |
| 3 | Exodus 34:6–7 | Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” |
| 4 | Psalms 145:8 | The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. |
| 5 | Psalms 86:5 | For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. |
| 6 | Nahum 1:3 | The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. |
| 7 | Jonah 4:2 | So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. |
| 8 | Ephesians 1:7–8 | In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. |
| 9 | Numbers 14:18 | ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ |
| 10 | James 5:11 | See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. |
Psalms 103:8 Summary
[The Lord is compassionate and gracious, which means He is full of love and kindness towards us, always looking for ways to help and care for us, as seen in Psalms 103:8 and similar descriptions in Exodus 34:6. He is also slow to anger, meaning He gives us time to make things right and turn to Him, rather than quickly punishing us, which shows His patience and love, similar to what is mentioned in Psalms 86:15. Most importantly, God's love for us is boundless and never-ending, which is what 'abounding in loving devotion' means, a truth that can bring us peace and comfort every day, as also promised in Jeremiah 31:3.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the Lord is 'compassionate and gracious'?
This means that God is full of mercy and kindness, always looking for ways to show us love and care, as seen in Psalms 103:8 and also in Exodus 34:6 where He describes Himself in a similar way.
Why is it important that the Lord is 'slow to anger'?
This characteristic of God shows that He is patient and long-suffering, giving us time to repent and turn to Him, as also emphasized in Psalms 86:15 and 2 Peter 3:9.
How does the concept of 'abounding in loving devotion' relate to our daily lives?
This means that God's love for us is infinite and never-ending, and as we walk in relationship with Him, we can experience this love in deeper ways, as promised in Jeremiah 31:3 and Romans 8:38-39.
What is the significance of this verse in the context of the surrounding verses?
This verse highlights God's character, which is foundational to understanding why He executes righteousness and justice, as mentioned in Psalms 103:6, and why He doesn't deal with us according to our sins, as stated in Psalms 103:10.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have you experienced God's compassion and graciousness in your life, and how has this impacted your relationship with Him?
- Reflect on a time when you were slow to forgive or quick to anger; how can you apply God's example of being 'slow to anger' to your interactions with others?
- How does the knowledge that God abounds in loving devotion encourage you to trust Him more deeply, especially in challenging circumstances?
- Consider the contrast between God's character, as described in Psalms 103:8, and the ways of the world; how can you embody these attributes in your own life to reflect God's love to those around you?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious,.... So he made himself known to Moses, Exodus 34:6, and so David found him to be, and therefore calls upon his soul to bless his name.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 103:8
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
Slow to anger; not speedily punishing sinners, but patiently waiting for their repentance.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
Psalms 103:8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.Ver. 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious] These are Moses’ s very expressions, Exodus 34:6. Theodoret calleth him, worthily, the great ocean of divinity, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
(8) Merciful and Gracious.—The original confession (Exodus 34:6) had become a formula of the national faith. In addition to the marginal references, see Joe 2:13, Psalms 145:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
Verse 8. The Lord is merciful] See Clarke on Psalms 86:15.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 103:8
6–10. Jehovah’s gracious dealings with men illustrated from the experience of Israel.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious - See the notes at Psalms 78:38. The idea here is derived evidently from Exodus 34:6-7 - that great and glorious statement of God himself in regard to his own character.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 103:8
8. Merciful and gracious—A quotation from Exodus 34:6
Sermons on Psalms 103:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Revival Now by Mark Greening | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to constantly be revived and restored to God, even after being saved. He shares his personal experience of realizing |
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Angry With God by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah and his rebellion against God. He highlights Jonah's desire to die and his grumbling because of his discomfort. The preac |
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God Has Prepared a Place for You by Teresa Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jonah in the Bible. He highlights how the preaching of God's word can have a profound impact on people's lives, even those who |
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(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 1. Oh! What a God! by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the character of God as described in the Bible. He emphasizes that God is merciful and gracious, as proclaimed by Jehovah himself. The prea |
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Jesus Christ My Glory by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the corrupt state of the world, drawing parallels between the present day and the biblical times. The preacher emphasizes that God's nature |
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Book of Acts Series - Part 13 | the Conversion by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the trend of shortening church meetings in America due to people's lack of interest. He emphasizes that being in God's presence should bring |
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Psalm 51:10 by Earle Maxwell | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a pure heart in order to see visions of God. He shares a story about a lady who arranged a special meeting where 500 |