Psalm 103:9

Modern

He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.

Traditional

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

Literal

He will not contend forever, and He will not keep it forever.

Latin

Non in perpetuum irascetur, neque in æternum comminabitur.

Hebrew

English

He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.

If the Lord were to constantly accuse or remain angry forever, no one would be left (see Isaiah 54:7–8; 57:16).

This psalm celebrates the Lord’s perfection, compassion, forgiveness, and goodness.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 57:16
For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made.
Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Jeremiah 3:5
Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”
Micah 7:18–19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
Jeremiah 3:12
Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever.