Psalms 103:17

Authorized King James Version

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But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Original Language Analysis

וְחֶ֤סֶד But the mercy H2617
וְחֶ֤סֶד But the mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 1 of 10
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
יְהוָ֨ה׀ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֨ה׀ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ע֭וֹלָם everlasting H5769
ע֭וֹלָם everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 3 of 10
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְעַד to H5704
וְעַד to
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 4 of 10
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
ע֭וֹלָם everlasting H5769
ע֭וֹלָם everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרֵאָ֑יו upon them that fear H3373
יְרֵאָ֑יו upon them that fear
Strong's: H3373
Word #: 7 of 10
fearing; morally, reverent
וְ֝צִדְקָת֗וֹ him and his righteousness H6666
וְ֝צִדְקָת֗וֹ him and his righteousness
Strong's: H6666
Word #: 8 of 10
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
בָנִֽים׃ children H1121
בָנִֽים׃ children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָנִֽים׃ children H1121
בָנִֽים׃ children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 10 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Analysis & Commentary

God's mercy is 'from everlasting to everlasting' ('olam ve'ad olam) upon those who fear Him, contrasting dramatically with grass-like human transience. His righteousness extends to 'children's children,' showing covenant faithfulness across generations. This eternal, multigenerational mercy is the psalm's climax, demonstrating that while humans fade, God's chesed endures forever. The Reformed emphasis on God's eternal covenant recognizes that believers participate in God's everlasting purposes through Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).

Historical Context

Ancient Israelites thought in generational terms, valuing continuity of family and faith. God's promises extending to children's children assured His people that covenant blessings wouldn't end with one generation.

Questions for Reflection

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