Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 103:6-14

"Jehovah executeth righteous acts, And judgments for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel. Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness. He will not always chide; Neither will he keep [his anger] for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, Nor rewarded us after our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." — Psalms 103:6-14 (ASV)

Truly God is good to all: He is in a special way good to Israel. He has revealed Himself and His grace to them. By His ways we may understand His precepts—the ways He requires us to walk in—and His promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion.

How unlike God are those who take every occasion to rebuke, and never know when to stop! What would become of us if God were to deal with us that way? The Scripture says a great deal about the mercy of God, and we all have experienced it. A father pities his children who are weak in knowledge, and teaches them; pities them when they are stubborn, and bears with them; pities them when they are sick, and comforts them; pities them when they are fallen, and helps them to rise; pities them when they have offended, and, upon their submission, forgives them; pities them when wronged, and sets things right for them. Thus the Lord pities those who fear Him.

See why He pities. He considers the frailty of our bodies and the folly of our souls—how little we can do, how little we can bear; in all these things His compassion appears.