The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
My understanding of Hebrew is so modest it allows for creative readings... probably overly creative.
But I also understand the role of hermeneutics is to find where text and reader have common interest, while keeping integrity with each.
The second verse above consists of five Hebrew words: netsach riyb lo' natar 'owlam.
Each of these words can be translated with more than one English word, but a strictly literal reading might be: perpetual strife not keep forever.
The translator has chosen to hear the divine pronoun as implied and treat this as another description of God.
But could it be describing the outcome of God's steadfast love? Constant contention will not continue.
Psalm 103
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