Psalm 103:14
New International Version
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

New Living Translation
For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

English Standard Version
For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Berean Standard Bible
For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

King James Bible
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

New King James Version
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

New American Standard Bible
For He Himself knows our form; He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.

NASB 1995
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

NASB 1977
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

Legacy Standard Bible
For He Himself knows our form; He remembers that we are but dust.

Amplified Bible
For He knows our [mortal] frame; He remembers that we are [merely] dust.

Christian Standard Bible
For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

American Standard Version
For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Contemporary English Version
because he knows we are made of dust.

English Revised Version
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust.

Good News Translation
He knows what we are made of; he remembers that we are dust.

International Standard Version
For he knows how we were formed, aware that we were made from dust.

Majority Standard Bible
For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

NET Bible
For he knows what we are made of; he realizes we are made of clay.

New Heart English Bible
For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

World English Bible
For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For He has known our frame, "" Remembering that we [are] dust.

Young's Literal Translation
For He hath known our frame, Remembering that we are dust.

Smith's Literal Translation
For he knew our formation; he remembered that we are dust.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
for he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust.

New American Bible
For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust.

New Revised Standard Version
For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are dust.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he knows our form; he remembers that we are dust.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he knows our frame: remember that we are dust.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Bless the LORD, O My Soul
13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. 14For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field;…

Cross References
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Job 10:9
Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?

Job 34:15
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

Ecclesiastes 12:7
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Psalm 78:39
He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Corinthians 15:47
The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.

Romans 9:21
Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

2 Corinthians 4:7
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

1 Corinthians 15:48-49
As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. / And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.


Treasury of Scripture

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

he knoweth

Psalm 78:38,39
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 89:47
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

we are dust

Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Job 7:5-7,21
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome…

Job 10:9
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

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Psalm 103
1. An exhortation to bless God for his mercy
5. And for the constancy thereof














For He knows
This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience, His complete and perfect knowledge of all things. The Hebrew word used here is "יָדַע" (yada), which conveys an intimate, experiential knowledge. This is not a distant or abstract awareness but a deep, personal understanding. In the context of Psalm 103, it reassures believers that God is fully aware of our nature and circumstances. His knowledge is not limited by time or space, and He understands us better than we understand ourselves. This should inspire trust and comfort, knowing that nothing about us is hidden from Him.

our frame
The term "frame" is translated from the Hebrew word "יֵצֶר" (yetser), which refers to our form or constitution. It suggests the idea of something that is shaped or molded, akin to a potter with clay. This imagery is consistent with the biblical narrative of creation, where God forms man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). It highlights our created nature and the intentionality behind our existence. Understanding that God knows our frame reminds us of our dependency on Him and His sovereignty over our lives.

He is mindful
The phrase "He is mindful" indicates God's continuous and active consideration of us. The Hebrew root "זָכַר" (zakar) means to remember or to think about. This is not a passive recollection but an active, ongoing mindfulness. It underscores God's attentiveness and care for His creation. In a world where we often feel forgotten or overlooked, this assurance of God's mindfulness is profoundly comforting. It speaks to His constant presence and involvement in our lives.

that we are dust
The word "dust" comes from the Hebrew "עָפָר" (aphar), which refers to the fine particles of the earth. This term is a humbling reminder of our mortality and frailty. It echoes the creation account in Genesis, where man is formed from the dust and to dust he shall return (Genesis 3:19). This acknowledgment of our humble origins serves to remind us of our need for God. Despite our insignificance in the grand scheme of creation, God values us and is mindful of us. This should inspire humility and gratitude, recognizing that our worth and significance come from being known and loved by God.

(14) Frame.--Rather, fashioning; referring to Genesis 2:7, or possibly to the image so common in the prophecy of the potter's vessel.

Verse 14. - For he knoweth our frame; or, our formation (Kay) - the manner in which we were formed (see Genesis 2:7). He remembereth that we are dust (comp. Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 19:27; Job 34:15, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

knows
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

our frame;
יִצְרֵ֑נוּ (yiṣ·rê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3336: A form, framing, purpose

He is mindful
זָ֝כ֗וּר (zā·ḵūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we
אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃ (’ă·nā·ḥə·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

are dust.
עָפָ֥ר (‘ā·p̄ār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud


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OT Poetry: Psalm 103:14 For he knows how we are made (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 103:13
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