Psalms 103:17
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Study Note
Study Note
The contrast — 'the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him' set against the brevity of human life (verse 15: 'as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth') — is one of the Psalter's most architecturally beautiful theological statements. The 'hesed' (covenant-love, mercy) of God spans from olam to olam — eternity to eternity — while the human lifespan is compared to grass that withers and a flower that is blown away by the wind. The verse's extension to children's children ('his righteousness unto children's children') grounds divine mercy in covenantal succession rather than individual experience alone. 1 Peter 1:24-25 cites the grass-and-flower passage ('the word of the Lord endureth for ever') in a resurrection context, completing the contrast: God's word, like God's mercy, outlasts human transience.
Other Translations
But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;
And the kindness of Jehovah <FI>Is<Fi> from age even unto age on those fearing Him, And His righteousness to sons' sons,
But the mercy of the Lord is eternal for his worshippers, and their children's children will see his righteousness;
Cross References
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even …
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness …
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.