◄ What Does Psalm 103:13 Mean? ►

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13(NASB)

Verse of the Day

So much exciting truth has been condensed into a few short verses in Psalm 103, that it should rejoice our heart, still our soul, provide encouragement, and cause us to gaze in utter wonderment and awe at the God Who created us, redeemed us, and upholds us moment by moment by the might of His powerful hand.

We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under His table, and yet we have been raised up together with Christ and seated together with Him in heavenly places - no wonder David blessed the holy name of the Lord with his whole being. And it is no surprise that he called to mind God's kindness towards us, and wrote in verse 13... "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."

The same God Who knit us together in our mother's womb, is tender-hearted towards all who fear Him. He pardons all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, and by grace has crowned us with lovingkindness, tender mercies, and great goodness. His compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning - great is His faithfulness.

The very God of gods, Who is eternal in substance and holy in nature, leads us beside still waters, and provides the refreshment we need - spirit, soul, and body, as we travel through life. He never fails to satisfy our days and years with good things - for moment by moment we are kept secure in His love. The Lord's concern for each one of us is likened to the tenderness a father has for his beloved son or daughter.

He restores our soul and leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle. His grace is sufficient for His strength is made perfect in our weakness.. so that through Him, we may run the race of life and not be weary, we may walk in storms of difficulty and danger and not faint. Oh yes, David certainly compressed the benefits we receive from our caring, compassionate Lord into the few short verses of this psalm.

David could have described God with a multitude of alternative comparisons - the boldness of a lion, the strength of the wind, the gentleness of a dove, the sweetness of honey. But he chose to use the love and compassion of a caring and considerate human father towards his child, in order to convey the love, compassion, pity, and grace of God towards those who believe in Him.

Pity or compassion may seem an unusual attribute for the psalmist to emphasise, but it brings to mind the yearning heart of a father towards the frailty and weakness of the child he loves. The sleeping child needs to be sheltered by his father, the weary child needs to be carried. The hungry child needs the father's provision of food to sustain him, while the wandering child needs to be sought after, brought home, and shown great understanding. The disobedient child needs to be chastened, and the child that is wounded and afraid needs the loving compassion that can only come from the heart of a father who truly cares for the child of his love.

The loving compassion of every earthly father is completely eclipsed by the tender-hearted pity and grace that God shows to each of His own. He knows our various weaknesses. He knows our human frame, our inner frailties, and is mindful that we are but dust. Yet in His mercy and grace, He has rescued us from a miry pit and bestowed on us such riches of His grace, that we should be forever glorifying His holy name.

Let us never fail to bless the Lord with our whole being, and not forget all His benefits - for He pardons all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion, and satisfies our years with good things. Let us never forget that just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on all of us who fear Him - and He is worthy to receive ALL the honour and praise, forever and ever.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that you are such a wonderful, compassionate Father to all Your blood-bought children. Thank You that You know our inner frailties and remember that we are but dust. I praise and thank You for the many benefits and graces that You bestow on us day by day and moment by moment. Thank You for the loving care you have towards us and for the many benefits that are ours, by faith in Jesus. May I never hold these things lightly and bless Your holy name for Your goodness and grace. This I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.