“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 103:17 Mean?
David describes the scope of God's mercy with the most expansive language possible: from everlasting to everlasting. The mercy has no beginning and no end. It stretches in both directions — past eternity and future eternity.
The recipients: them that fear him. The mercy is everlasting, but it is directed at a specific group — those who fear God. The reverence is the condition that connects you to the mercy.
"And his righteousness unto children's children" — the mercy is generational. Not just for you. For your children's children. The fear of God in one generation opens the door to God's righteousness flowing to the next.
The verse holds together two enormous ideas: the eternal scope of mercy (from everlasting to everlasting) and the generational reach of righteousness (unto children's children). The mercy is timeless. The impact is multigenerational.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does 'from everlasting to everlasting' mean for the permanence of God's mercy?
- 2.How does fearing God connect you to the everlasting mercy?
- 3.What does 'righteousness unto children's children' mean for your spiritual legacy?
- 4.What are you cultivating now that will affect your grandchildren's relationship with God?
Devotional
The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting. From before time to after time. The mercy has no start date and no expiration. It stretches in both directions — infinitely past, infinitely future.
Upon them that fear him. The mercy is not random. It is directed — aimed at those who fear God. The fear — reverence, awe, holy trembling — is the posture that connects you to the everlasting mercy.
And his righteousness unto children's children. The mercy reaches your grandchildren. The fear you cultivate in your generation opens a channel of righteousness that flows to the ones who come after you. Your relationship with God affects your legacy.
From everlasting to everlasting. Let the scope settle. The mercy that covers you today covered eternity past and will cover eternity future. There is no moment in the infinite timeline where God's mercy is absent. It spans everything.
The generational promise adds a dimension that makes the mercy personal: it is not just for you in your moment. It is for your children and their children. The fear of God you practice today produces righteousness in people not yet born.
What are you leaving your grandchildren? Not financially. Spiritually. The mercy of the LORD that rests on you because you fear him — that mercy flows forward. To children's children. The legacy is not your achievement. It is your reverence.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens,.... The heaven is his throne; here he sits enthroned in all the glory…
But the mercy of the Lord - The favor of the Lord; or, his loving-kindness. Is from everlasting to everlasting - Is from…
Hitherto the psalmist had only looked back upon his own experiences and thence fetched matter for praise; here he looks…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture