Psalms 103:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's compassion for those who revere him is as natural and tender as a parent's love for a child.
The Context of Psalms 103:13
The personal, familial nature of God's relationship with those who trust him.
What Does Psalms 103:13 Mean?
Pity here is not condescension but a parent's instinctive tenderness toward vulnerable children. A father sees his child's weakness, fear, or pain and is moved to comfort and protect. The analogy suggests that God's response to human frailty is similarly immediate and warm.
Those that fear him echoes the earlier condition of reverence and trust. Such people recognize their own smallness and their need for God's care. To them, God responds with fatherly affection—not distant judgment but intimate, protective love.
Psalms 103:13 in the Original Language
pitieth (רָחַם, racham) — to show compassion, related to the Hebrew word for womb.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 103:13
What does Psalms 103:13 mean?
God's compassion for those who revere him is as natural and tender as a parent's love for a child.
What is the context of Psalms 103:13?
The personal, familial nature of God's relationship with those who trust him.