Psalm 103:8-12

I love this passage! This whole chapter is worth a detailed study, however our focus tonight will be Psalm 103:8-12.

Psalm 103:8–12 NIV84

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As an introduction, the Psalmist was well aware of God and what was taught about Him through the words of Moses.

Exodus 33:13 NIV84

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

David references this in Psalm 103:7:

Psalm 103:7 NIV84

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

He then goes on to say the Lord is Compassionate.

RAHUM: means merciful, favorable, showing favor when punishment is deserved; implying a forgiving relationship.

Other scripture gives some similar thoughts:

Exodus 34:6 NIV84

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Deuteronomy 4:31 NIV84

For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

2 Chronicles 30:9 NIV84

If you return to the Lord, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”

Nehemiah 9:17 NIV84

They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,

Nehemiah 9:31 NIV84

But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Psalm 111:4 NIV84

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Psalm 112:4 NIV84

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Psalm 145:8 NIV84

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is GRACIOUS.

HANNUN: means compassionate, pertaining to being merciful to the needy and repentant.

The Lord is SLOW TO ANGER

Psalm 78:38 NIV84

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

Psalm 86:15 NIV84

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Joel 2:13 NIV84

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Jonah 4:2 NIV84

He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Jeremiah 3:12 NIV84

Go, proclaim this message toward the north: “ ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will not be angry forever.

ABOUNDING IN LOVE: many, a great deal, a great many, numerous, a relatively large amount.

He will not always ACCUSE, what does that mean? Contend, opponent, hostile adversary. “Bring a court case against”

Nor will He harbor His anger forever. Instead we receive His everlasting kindness.

Isaiah 54:8 NIV84

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.

Isaiah 57:16 NIV84

I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me— the breath of man that I have created.

Psalm 103:10 NIV84

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

What is the difference between our sins and iniquities?

Sins are the things done wrong against the design of God.

Iniquities encompasses the guilt caused by sin.

Sometimes the guilt we have weighs heavier than the sin itself.

What do we deserve?

Romans 6:23 NIV84

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 103:11 NIV84

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

How high are the heavens?

Who gets His love?

Psalm 103:12 NIV84

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

So how why does the Psalmist say as far as the east is from west and not the north from the south?

What does this passage say to you about God’s love for you and I?

How does this make you feel?