Psalms 103:9 (YLT)

Passage

Not for ever doth He strive, Nor to the age doth He watch.

Nearby Context

Psalms 103:7 He maketh known His ways to Moses, To the sons of Israel His acts.

Psalms 103:8 Merciful and gracious <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah, Slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.

Psalms 103:9 Not for ever doth He strive, Nor to the age doth He watch.

Psalms 103:10 Not according to our sins hath He done to us, Nor according to our iniquities Hath He conferred benefits upon us.

Psalms 103:11 For, as the height of the heavens <FI>is<Fi> above the earth, His kindness hath been mighty over those fearing Him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "ever", "doth", "strive", and "watch". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "ever" and "doth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Merciful and gracious FI is Fi Jehovah..." into verse 10's "Not according to our sins hath He...", so "ever" and "doth" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "ever" and "doth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.