Psalms 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַפַּ֣יִם
to anger
H639
אַפַּ֣יִם
to anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Cross References
Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Joel 2:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.Psalms 145:8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.Nahum 1:3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.Numbers 14:18The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Psalms 130:7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
Historical Context
This formula recurs throughout the Old Testament (Num 14:18, Neh 9:17, Ps 86:15, 145:8, Joel 2:13) as Israel's core confession of God's character. The context in Exodus 34 followed Israel's golden calf apostasy, emphasizing God's grace toward sinners.
Questions for Reflection
- Which of these divine attributes do you most need to experience in your current circumstances?
- How does your understanding of God's character shape your approach to prayer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse quotes God's self-revelation to Moses (Exod 34:6-7), central to Israel's understanding of God's character. 'Merciful' (rachum) and 'gracious' (channun) emphasize God's compassion. 'Slow to anger' (erek appayim, literally 'long of nostrils') and 'plenteous in mercy' (rab chesed) demonstrate patience and abundant covenant love. These attributes ground all theology—God's essence is gracious love, not vindictive judgment. Christ perfectly embodies these attributes, demonstrating God's character in human form.