Psalm 103:13
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Our heavenly Father’s pity is briefly and yet eminently described here by comparing it with the pity of a human father. God is pleased to call our attention to His paternal character of pity, so that we may have the best conceptions of the character of God.
Pity is the tender love and mercy shown by the infinitely superior God to the undeserving, rebellious creatures as we are. Divine pity is God’s loving kindness. No other word brings home the truth of God’s paternal love, mercy, kindness, patience and benevolence better than “pity”. The pity of our God is His condescending love.
Though we are so utterly unworthy to receive any favour from the LORD, He is ever ready to extend His great compassion and forgiveness when we cry unto Him. James 5:11 declares, “the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Consider the following verses that declare the LORD’s amazing pity:
“Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:31).
“But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath” (Psalm 78:38).
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).
When the LORD pities us, He does not condemn nor destroy us. In His pity, He not only ceases from His anger, but also moves to deliver us and restore us. His pity is not a passive feeling, but a bountiful expression of His mercy, love and goodness.
When we tremble at His presence in the fear of His great and holy name, He will have pity on us. “The LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Let us reverence and worship Him. Let us come, believing that He is full of pity.