Where is it in the Bible?
Psalm 103:10–14
10He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
In other translations
- ESV
- 10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
- NLT
- 10He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
- CSB
- 10He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. 14For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.
- KJV
- 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
The surrounding passage
Psalm 103:8–16, King James Version
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Context
Psalm 103 is a psalm of David that opens with David calling on his own soul to praise the LORD and not forget his benefits. These verses describe the depth of God's mercy toward those who fear him, using images of the height of the heavens, the distance from east to west, and a father's compassion.
About the book of Psalms
The Bible's 150-song prayer book, in five books.
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