Psalms 103:8
The LORD [is] merciful and gracious,
slow to anger,
and plenteous in mercy.
Other translations
New International Version
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
New Living Translation
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
English Standard Version
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Berean Study Bible
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
New King James Version
The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
New American Standard Bible
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
Study
The LORD ☆ יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) ☆ Noun – proper – masculine singular ☆ YHWH; LORD – the proper name of the God of Israel
Merciful and Gracious
The original confession (Exodus 34:6) had become a formula of the national faith (see Joel 2:13, Psalms 145:8).
Is compassionate ☆ רַח֣וּם (ra·ḥūm) ☆ Adjective – masculine singular ☆ Compassionate
And gracious ☆ וְחַנּ֣וּן (wə·ḥan·nūn) ☆ Conjunctive waw | Adjective – masculine singular ☆ Gracious
Slow to anger
That is, patient; not soon excited; bearing much, and bearing it long (See James 5:11; compare Exodus 34:6-7).
Not speedily punishing sinners, but patiently waiting for their repentance.
He will not always chide, or contend by his judgments with sinners, but is ready to be reconciled to them, namely, upon their repentance, as is manifest from innumerable texts, and from the whole scope and design of the Scriptures.
Neither will he keep his anger for ever
Slow ☆ אֶ֖רֶךְ (’e·reḵ) ☆ Adjective – masculine singular construct ☆ Long
Anger
The word anger, though not in the original, is necessarily understood here, as it is also in Jeremiah 3:5, and in many other places.
To anger ☆ אַפַּ֣יִם (’ap·pa·yim) ☆ Noun – md ☆ The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire
Plenteous in mercy
Margin: “great of mercy.”
The Hebrew word means “much,” or great;” and the idea is, that mercy is not manifested by Him in small or stinted measure. It is rich; full; abundant; overflowing; free.
He has not dealt with us after our sins
He has punished us less than our iniquities deserved.
Abounding ☆ וְרַב־ (wə·raḇ-) ☆ Conjunctive waw | Adjective – masculine singular construct ☆ Much, many, great
In loving devotion ☆ חָֽסֶד׃ (ḥā·seḏ) ☆ Noun – masculine singular ☆ Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty
Devotional
God is holy, righteous, and just.
But, as important as these qualities are, He reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love.
We can not only obey, worship, and reverently respect God, we can also love, appreciate, and adore Him!
Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect the character of God in our own lives!
Prayer suggestions
- Tell God that you trust Him
- Tell God that you appreciate His faithfulness, His mercy, His love, His graciousness, and His patient compassion.
- Ask God to help you to display each of these virtues more fully in your life.
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