Bible Strands
Psalms 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the worshiping community, positioning this declaration immediately after the description of God's complete removal of transgressions and directly before the reminder of human mortality.
The words — The verb רִחַם (richam) literally denotes visceral compassion or pity, while the noun יְרֵאָיו (yire'av) identifies the recipients as those who maintain a stance of reverent fear toward God.
The thread — This paternal compassion motif appears in Luke 11:11, where earthly fathers refuse to harm their children, in Hebrews 12:5, which addresses believers as sons under divine discipline, and in Luke 15:21, where a son acknowledges his unworthiness before his father.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine mercy responds to human frailty rather than human performance, requiring readers to abandon self-justification and adopt a posture of reverent dependence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Cross-references
- Luke 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
- Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
- Luke 15:21 The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
- Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—
- Jeremiah 31:20 Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
- Proverbs 3:12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
- Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
- Malachi 4:2 “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.
- Psalms 147:11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
- Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.