Psalms 103:6-10 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

-From praising God's favour our in perpetually renewing the vigour of David's line, when seemingly on the point of extinction, the Psalmist passes to His benefits to Israel literal and spiritual, whose interests are inseparably bound up with the line of David culminating in Messiah.

Verse 6. The Lord executeth righteousness ... for all that are oppressed - i:e., for all His oppressed people (cf. Psalms 103:7; Psalms 68:5, "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows;" namely, the orphaned and husbandless Israel and the Church, when their Lord seems removed in the day of trouble).

Verse 7. He made known his ways unto Moses - in actual deeds of guidance and deliverance, not in mere words. So in Psalms 25:4; Exodus 33:13 is the fundamental passage. When Moses, as representative of Israel, prayed, "Show me now thy way" - i:e., manifest thy power in guiding safely me and the nation God promised, "My presence shall go (with thee), and I will give thee rest."

His acts unto ... Israel - His marvelous and mighty deeds (Isaiah 9:11; 78:11; Exodus 34:10).

Verse 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy - from Exodus 34:6-7; repeated in Psalms 86:15, and elsewhere, which shows how deep an impression was made on Israel by this comforting truth. This alone ought to have kept the people forever from the worship of the pagan gods of terror and cruelty.

Verse 9. He will not always chide - chastise (cf. Isaiah 57:16).

Neither will he keep (his anger) forever. The same ellipsis of "His anger" occurs in Leviticus 19:18; Jeremiah 3:5. He does keep or 'reserve (wrath) for His enemies;' but not for His people.

Verse 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins - as He threatened in Leviticus 26:23-24. He executes His threat upon willful and hardened transgressors; but "with us" who "fear Him" (Psalms 103:11; Psalms 103:13; Psalms 103:17) 'He doth not deal after (i:e., according to) our sins.'

Psalms 103:6-10

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

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

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.