Psalm 103 9

Psalm 103:9 kjv

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

Psalm 103:9 nkjv

He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

Psalm 103:9 niv

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

Psalm 103:9 esv

He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

Psalm 103:9 nlt

He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.

Psalm 103 verses

Psalm 103 9 Meaning

Psalm 103:9 declares a profound truth about God's character: He does not endlessly contend with His people nor maintain His anger permanently. It reveals that God's rebuke and indignation are temporal, purposeful for correction and not for eternal condemnation or holding grudges, emphasizing His readiness to forgive and restore. This verse highlights the boundless and enduring nature of God's love and mercy over His disciplinary wrath.

Psalm 103 9 Context

Psalm 103 is a fervent song of praise by David, extolling the benevolent character and redemptive acts of God. It moves from personal benefits (vv. 1-5) to the broader divine qualities and dealings with humanity, particularly Israel (vv. 6-12). Verse 9 stands at the heart of a section (vv. 8-12) that elaborates on God's profound mercy, forgiveness, and patient enduring nature. After declaring God as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love" (v. 8), verse 9 directly elaborates on the "slow to anger" aspect, clarifying its duration and intent. This context highlights God's attributes as infinitely greater than any human capacity for resentment or sustained wrath. The psalmist likely contrasts Yahweh's nature with that of the vengeful and fickle deities of surrounding cultures, offering a polemic against beliefs in a god who capriciously holds grudges or desires ultimate destruction. Historically, this understanding would have assured the Israelites, who often faced divine discipline due to their disobedience, that God's chastisement was remedial and temporary, not terminal.

Psalm 103 9 Word analysis

• He will not always chide:

  • He will not always: Emphasizes the temporal limit of God's action. God's disciplinary actions, or "chiding," are finite and have a clear end, distinct from His eternal love and mercy.
  • chide: Hebrew: yārîḇ (יָרִיב). This word means "to contend," "to strive," "to litigate," or "to rebuke." It implies a formal dispute or an active process of holding someone accountable or presenting a charge, often with a legal connotation. It suggests that God engages in a just reckoning of sin, but this engagement is not perpetual. Its significance lies in that God doesn't endlessly press charges against us once repentance or His sovereign grace intercedes.
  • The phrase together signifies that God's period of contention, discipline, or confrontation with sin is not unending; there is a point at which His righteous anger gives way to mercy.

• nor will He keep His anger forever:

  • nor will He keep: This denotes God's active choice not to "harbor" or "store up" resentment indefinitely. It contrasts with human nature, which often struggles to release grudges.
  • keep: Hebrew: yiṭṭôr (יִטּוֹר). This verb implies "to keep," "to preserve," "to maintain," or "to hold onto," often in the sense of nurturing something negative like anger or a grudge. Its use here reinforces that God does not nurse or sustain His wrath over an indefinite period, unlike humans who often cling to bitterness.
  • His anger: Refers to divine displeasure or wrath, which is righteous and a response to sin.
  • forever: Hebrew: lā'ôlām (לָעוֹלָם). This word means "for perpetuity," "eternally," or "everlastingly." Similar to lāneṣaḥ ("always" in the first clause, though a different Hebrew word used is lo'-lāneṣaḥ - לָנֶצַח for "not always" literally "not forever"), this term usually describes God's everlasting nature, covenant, or mercy. Here, its application to God's anger explicitly states that divine wrath is not eternal or endlessly maintained, further emphasizing that God's essence of love (as described elsewhere) transcends His temporary anger.

• He will not always chide / nor will He keep His anger forever:

  • The parallelism strengthens the message: God's disciplinary contention (chiding) and His active holding of anger are both temporary. The repetition with slightly different terms underscores the absolute nature of this truth.
  • The phrasing forms a powerful statement against common perceptions of divine vengefulness and emphasizes a God who desires reconciliation and restoration. It is a fundamental declaration of God's character of mercy outweighing His justice, yet without diminishing justice. God's discipline is not out of malice but love and a desire for repentance.

Psalm 103 9 Bonus section

The concept presented in Psalm 103:9 directly contrasts with the nature of human anger, which often manifests as grudges or long-held resentment that seeks retribution. God's anger, unlike human anger, is always righteous, pure, and controlled, serving His divine purposes for restoration or ultimate justice. It is not an emotion that consumes or dictates His permanent disposition towards His people. The verse does not imply that God never shows anger or allows consequences for sin; rather, it highlights that His anger is always bounded by His greater attributes of compassion, mercy, and steadfast love. This boundary is crucial for understanding the nature of grace and forgiveness in the divine economy. Furthermore, this truth serves as a vital comfort to those undergoing divine discipline, reminding them that the "chiding" and "anger" are transient expressions, not an eternal condemnation or abandonment, paving the way for reconciliation and blessing.

Psalm 103 9 Commentary

Psalm 103:9 is a cornerstone declaration of God's unfathomable mercy and patient enduring character. It distinguishes the Creator from all human models of governance and divine beings in other religions by asserting that God’s wrath is neither endless nor spiteful. While He may righteously "chide" or contend with humanity for its sins – a disciplinary action rooted in justice and a desire for reconciliation – this process has a finite duration. His anger is not held onto as a permanent state or a lingering grudge; rather, it serves a corrective purpose and gives way to His abounding steadfast love. This verse undergirds the concept that God desires repentance and restoration over judgment and eternal punishment. It shows that even when His judgment falls, it is redemptive in intent, signifying that God is far from an arbitrary, unforgiving deity. Practically, this truth should empower believers to approach God with confidence, knowing His capacity for forgiveness always exceeds His temporal wrath. It calls us to emulate this divine characteristic in our own relationships, letting go of anger and choosing reconciliation.