Psalms 103:13

KJV

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Like as a father {H1} pitieth {H7355} his children {H1121}, so the LORD {H3068} pitieth {H7355} them that fear {H3373} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just as a father has compassion on his children, ADONAI has compassion on those who fear him.

Berean Standard Bible

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

American Standard Version

Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 103:13 paints a tender and profound picture of God's compassionate nature, drawing an intimate parallel between His deep understanding and care for those who revere Him and the innate pity a loving father feels for his children. This verse serves as a powerful assurance of divine mercy, emphasizing that God's compassion is not a distant, abstract quality but an active, heartfelt response to the frailty and needs of His people, rooted in a relationship of profound love and protective tenderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 103 is a magnificent hymn of praise, widely attributed to David, which overflows with gratitude for God's abundant blessings and merciful character. The psalm begins with an earnest call to self-exhortation, "Bless the LORD, O my soul" ([Psalms 103:1](/psalms/103-1 "Psalm 103:1 - Call to Praise")), setting the tone for a comprehensive enumeration of God's benefits, including forgiveness of sins, healing, redemption from destruction, and satisfaction of desires. Verses 8-12 particularly emphasize God's boundless mercy, His slowness to anger, and His removal of transgressions "as far as the east is from the west" ([Psalms 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God Removes Our Sins")). This rich backdrop of divine grace and forgiveness perfectly precedes the intimate comparison of God's pity in verse 13, which is then immediately followed by an acknowledgment of human frailty in [Psalms 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalm 103:14 - God Remembers Our Frame"), reinforcing the necessity and depth of His compassion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during the monarchy, possibly by King David, this psalm reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society where the father was the central figure of authority, protection, and provision within the family. The father's role was not merely disciplinary but deeply nurturing, embodying a profound sense of responsibility and tender care for his offspring. This cultural understanding of a father's pity for his children would have resonated powerfully with the original audience, making the analogy of God's fatherly compassion immediately comprehensible and deeply comforting. The concept of God as a "father" to His people, though more fully developed in the New Testament, has roots in the Old Testament, particularly in His covenant relationship with Israel, where He is seen as guiding, protecting, and disciplining His chosen nation, much like a parent ([Deuteronomy 32:6](/deuteronomy/32-6 "Deuteronomy 32:6 - God as Father of Israel")).
* **Key Themes:** The verse centrally articulates **Divine Compassion and Pity**, portraying God not as a distant, impassive deity but as one who deeply feels and responds to the needs of His creation. This "pity" (Hebrew: *racham*) is an active, empathetic mercy, highlighting God's profound emotional connection to humanity. Closely intertwined is the theme of **God as a Loving Father**, utilizing a powerful **parental metaphor** that speaks to an intimate, protective, and nurturing relationship. This imagery reassures believers of their cherished status and understanding by their heavenly Father, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament's revelation of God as "Abba, Father" ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")). Finally, the compassion is directed towards "them that fear him," introducing the theme of the **"Fear of the Lord."** This "fear" is not terror but a reverential awe, humble respect, and obedient submission to God's sovereignty and holiness, which is consistently presented as the [beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom") and a prerequisite for experiencing God's full blessings and mercy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pitieth (Hebrew, _racham'_):** This verb is derived from the noun *rechem*, meaning "womb." This etymological connection is profoundly significant, as it imbues *racham* with a deep, visceral, and tender affection, akin to a mother's love for her child, or the deep, protective bond felt from the very core of one's being. It signifies a compassionate longing, a profound emotional connection, and an active, heartfelt concern that goes beyond mere sympathy to encompass a powerful urge to relieve suffering and extend mercy. It is often used to describe God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering mercy towards His people.
* **Fear him (Hebrew, _yare'_):** This word encompasses a wide semantic range, from terror to reverence. In the context of "fearing the LORD," it primarily denotes a profound respect, awe, and humble submission to God's authority and holiness. It is not a cowering dread but a reverential honor that leads to obedience and a desire to please Him. This "fear" is the appropriate response to God's majesty and goodness, signifying a recognition of His sovereignty and a trust in His character, which in turn opens the door to experiencing His compassionate care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Like as a father pitieth [his] children":** This opening clause establishes a powerful and relatable simile. It draws upon the universal human experience of parental love, specifically a father's tender affection and deep concern for his offspring. The pity described here is not a condescending emotion but a profound, empathetic understanding of a child's vulnerability, weakness, and dependence, coupled with an innate desire to protect, comfort, and provide. It sets the standard for the divine comparison that follows, grounding God's abstract compassion in a tangible, deeply felt human emotion.
* **"[so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him":** This second clause applies the analogy directly to God. Just as a human father's pity is a natural outflow of his love for his children, so too is the LORD's pity a natural and consistent expression of His character towards those who stand in reverent awe of Him. The compassion of God is not arbitrary but is directed towards those who acknowledge His sovereignty and live in humble obedience. This connection highlights the reciprocal nature of the relationship: human reverence for God elicits His profound, fatherly compassion, assuring believers that their humility and trust are met with an overflowing measure of divine tenderness and care.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 103:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated with "Like as... so..." This device draws a direct comparison between God's compassion and a human father's pity, making the divine attribute understandable through a relatable human experience. This is further enhanced by **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described with human qualities or emotions (pity, like a father). While God is transcendent, this literary choice allows for a more intimate and personal understanding of His character, making Him approachable. The verse also exhibits **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. The first clause presents the earthly analogy, and the second clause then applies this analogy to the divine, revealing the depth of God's pity and its specific recipients. This structure builds clarity and reinforces the central message of divine compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound truth of Psalms 103:13 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's character. It underscores His unwavering covenant faithfulness and boundless mercy, portraying Him as a God who is not distant or indifferent, but intimately involved in the lives of His people. This verse teaches us that God's compassion is rooted in His very being, flowing from His nature as a loving Father who understands our frailties and limitations. It assures us that our reverence for Him is met with a tender, protective care that mirrors the deepest human affections, providing immense comfort and security to those who trust in Him. This fatherly pity is a cornerstone of biblical theology, revealing a God who actively seeks to redeem, restore, and sustain His beloved children.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Self-Revelation of Mercy")
* [Luke 15:20](/luke/15-20 "Luke 15:20 - The Father's Compassion in the Parable of the Prodigal Son")
* [Isaiah 49:15](/isaiah/49-15 "Isaiah 49:15 - Can a Mother Forget Her Child?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 103:13 offers an anchor for the soul in a world often marked by indifference and harshness. It invites us to rest in the profound assurance that our Heavenly Father sees us, knows our weaknesses, and responds with a tender, protective pity that surpasses any human understanding. This verse challenges us to move beyond a transactional view of God and embrace a relational one, recognizing that His compassion is not earned but freely given to those who approach Him with reverent awe and trust. It calls us to respond to such boundless love not with fear of punishment, but with a humble heart that seeks to honor and obey Him out of gratitude. When we stumble, this verse reminds us that we have a Father ready to lift us up; when we are weak, He is strong; when we are afraid, His pity provides comfort. It encourages us to live in confident reliance on His unfailing mercy, knowing that just as a good father delights in his children, our God delights in showing us compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the analogy of a father's pity for his children deepen your understanding of God's compassion?**
* **What does "fearing the LORD" truly mean in the context of receiving His pity, and how does this differ from being afraid of Him?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need to experience God's fatherly pity and compassion today?**
* **How might recognizing God's pity for you transform your approach to prayer and your daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the word "pitieth" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "pitieth" is *racham* (רָחַם), which is deeply significant. It is closely related to the word for "womb" (*rechem*), suggesting a profound, visceral, and tender affection, akin to a mother's deep, protective love for her child. It conveys a compassionate longing, an active, heartfelt concern, and a deep emotional bond that moves God to relieve suffering and extend mercy. It's not a detached sympathy but an empathetic identification with our struggles, demonstrating the intensity and depth of God's love for His people, as seen in other passages describing His compassionate nature, such as [Isaiah 63:9](/isaiah/63-9 "Isaiah 63:9 - God's Affliction with His People").

**Does "fear him" mean we should be afraid of God?**

Answer: In the context of "fearing the LORD" in biblical wisdom literature and psalms, "fear" (Hebrew: *yare*) does not primarily mean terror or dread. Instead, it denotes a profound reverence, awe, and humble respect for God's holiness, majesty, and power. It is a recognition of His supreme authority and goodness that leads to obedience and a desire to please Him. This reverential fear is the appropriate response to a holy and loving God, leading to wisdom ([Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")) and opening the door to experiencing His blessings and compassion, as Psalms 103:13 itself indicates. It is a fear that draws us closer to Him, not one that pushes us away.

**Is God's pity extended to everyone, or only to "them that fear him"?**

Answer: While God's general mercy and common grace are extended to all humanity ([Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God Makes His Sun Rise on the Evil and on the Good")), the specific, intimate, and fatherly "pity" described in Psalms 103:13 is directed towards "them that fear him." This implies a relational context. Those who acknowledge God's sovereignty, live in humble reverence, and seek to obey Him enter into a deeper covenant relationship where they experience the fullness of His compassionate care in a unique and personal way. This does not negate God's universal goodness, but highlights the special tenderness He reserves for those who are truly His children by faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 103:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of the Father's pity, making visible the invisible compassion of God. In Jesus, God's fatherly heart is fully revealed, not just in abstract terms, but in tangible acts of mercy and love. He "had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd" ([Mark 6:34](/mark/6-34 "Mark 6:34 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")), healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead. Jesus, the Son, perfectly mirrors the Father's tender pity, demonstrating that God's compassion is not a passive sentiment but an active, redemptive force. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ provided the means for humanity to truly "fear the LORD" in a saving relationship, where our reverence is met with the ultimate expression of divine pity—forgiveness of sins and adoption into God's family ([Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Adoption as Sons Through Jesus Christ")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), perfectly illustrating the protective, self-sacrificial love of the Father that "pitieth" His children, bringing them into eternal communion with Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 11:11

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Luke 11:12

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Hebrews 12:5

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Jeremiah 31:20

[Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Psalms 103:17

But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.