King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Complete Jewish Bible:
he redeems your life from the pit, he surrounds you with grace and compassion,
Berean Standard Bible:
who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
American Standard Version:
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who redeemeth{H1350} thy life{H2416} from destruction{H7845}; who crowneth{H5849} thee with lovingkindness{H2617} and tender mercies{H7356};
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 71:23
- My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psalms 56:13
- For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Psalms 103:12
- As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 8:5
- For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
1 Peter 5:4
- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Psalms 5:12
- For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.
James 1:12
- Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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Commentary for Psalms 103:4
Psalm 103:4 is part of a psalm traditionally attributed to King David, which is a hymn of thanksgiving and praise to God for His enduring mercies and benefits toward His people. The verse itself highlights several key themes: redemption, lovingkindness, and mercy.
In the historical context of the Old Testament, the concept of redemption often referred to God's deliverance of His people from various forms of distress, including physical danger, spiritual waywardness, and national calamity. The phrase "redeemeth thy life from destruction" speaks to God's active role in rescuing individuals from ruin and death, which in the broader narrative of the Bible, includes both temporal rescue and eternal salvation.
The latter part of the verse, "who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies," uses the metaphor of crowning to illustrate how God honors and blesses His faithful servants. The term "lovingkindness" translates the Hebrew word "chesed," which conveys a sense of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, a covenantal commitment to His people that is both relational and enduring. "Tender mercies" suggests a compassionate and gentle response to human frailty and sin, indicating that God's mercy is not only just but also filled with empathy and understanding.
In summary, Psalm 103:4 reflects the psalmist's profound gratitude for God's intervention in saving human life from destruction, as well as for the generous bestowal of divine favor, love, and compassion. This verse encapsulates the assurance of God's protective care and the transformative impact of His grace on the lives of those who trust in Him, a message that resonates with both the historical Israelites and believers throughout the ages.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1350
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּאַל
Transliteration: gâʼal
Pronunciation: gaw-al'
Description: a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); [idiom] in any wise, [idiom] at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H7845
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁחַת
Transliteration: shachath
Pronunciation: shakh'-ath
Description: from שׁוּחַ; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction; corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit. - Strong's Number: H5849
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָטַר
Transliteration: ʻâṭar
Pronunciation: aw-tar'
Description: a primitive root; to encircle (for attack or protection); especially to crown (literally or figuratively); compass, crown. - Strong's Number: H2617
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵסֵד
Transliteration: chêçêd
Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. - Strong's Number: H7356
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַחַם
Transliteration: racham
Pronunciation: rakh'-am
Description: from רָחַם; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden; bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, womb.