Psalms 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Interpretation
Psalms 103:12 shows a east from west that takes shape in planning and improvising—listen for "far" and "east". Keep east from west by steady, quiet faithfulness—keep zeal yoked to love.
Context
This passage belongs to Psalms, a poetry/wisdom witness, highlighting east from west. Within ch. 103, a small unit frames the emphasis. It edges toward wisdom & worship. Watch the terms “far” and “east”.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
In the Masoretic tradition the Hebrew text is preserved, standardized between the 6th–10th centuries CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls (1947-1956 discoveries) provide manuscripts 1000+ years older than medieval texts, generally confirming the Masoretic Text's reliability with only minor variations. The Septuagint (Greek translation, 3rd-2nd century BCE) offers an independent textual witness. Variations between manuscripts are typically minor: spelling differences, word order, or clarifications that do not change the overall sense. Modern translations compare all available manuscripts to reconstruct the best reflects the earliest recoverable text text.
Sources & witness notes
MT