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Selected Verse: Psalms 103:11 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ps 103:11 |
King James |
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
great--efficient. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For as the heaven is high above the earth - See the notes at Psa 57:10. Compare the notes at Isa 55:9. The literal translation of the phrase here would be, "For like the height of the heavens above the earth." The heavens - the starry heavens - are the highest objects of which we have any knowledge; and hence, the comparison is used to denote the great mercy of God - meaning that it is as great as can be conceived; that there is nothing beyond it; that we cannot imagine that it could be greater - as we can imagine nothing higher than the heavens.
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him - To those who reverence and serve him. That is, His mercy is thus great in forgiving their offences; in imparting grace; in giving them support and consolation. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
fear
Also (Psa 103:13);
(See Scofield) - (Psa 19:9). |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
The ingenious figures in Psa 103:11. (cf. Psa 36:6; Psa 57:11) illustrate the infinite power and complete unreservedness of mercy (loving-kindness). הרחיק has Gaja (as have also השׁחיתו and התעיבו, Psa 14:1; Psa 53:2, in exact texts), in order to render possible the distinct pronunciation of the guttural in the combination רח. Psa 103:13 sounds just as much like the spirit of the New Testament as Psa 103:11, Psa 103:12. The relationship to Jahve in which those stand who fear Him is a filial relationship based upon free reciprocity (Mal 3:11). His Fatherly compassion is (Psa 103:14) based upon the frailty and perishableness of man, which are known to God, much the same as God's promise after the Flood not to decree a like judgment again (Gen 8:21). According to this passage and Deu 31:21, יצרנוּ appears to be intended of the moral nature; but according to Psa 103:14, one is obliged to think rather of the natural form which man possesses from God the Creator (ויּיצר, Gen 2:7) than of the form of heart which he has by his own choice and, so far as its groundwork is concerned, by inheritance (Psa 51:7). In זכוּר, mindful, the passive, according to Bצttcher's correct apprehension of it, expresses a passive state after an action that is completed by the person himself, as in בּטוּה, ידוּע, and the like. In its form Psa 103:14 reminds one of the Book of Job Job 11:11; Job 28:23, and Psa 103:14 as to subject-matter recalls Job 7:7, and other passages (cf. Psa 78:39; Psa 89:48); but the following figurative representation of human frailty, with which the poet contrasts the eternal nature of the divine mercy as the sure stay of all God-fearing ones in the midst of the rise and decay of things here below, still more strongly recalls that book. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
So great - So much above their deserts and expectations. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
For as the heaven is high above the earth - Great and provoking as our crimes may have been, yet his mercies have, in their magnitude and number, surpassed these, as far as the heavens are elevated beyond the earth. |
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.