Psalm 103:17-18
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The verse highlights that God's "steadfast love" isn't just a fleeting emotion, but a deep, enduring faithfulness that spans from eternity past to eternity future. It's a divine commitment, rooted in His very nature, that extends to generations, not merely to individuals, underscoring His covenant faithfulness to those who honor Him.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is bursting with praise for God's incredible faithfulness, especially in contrast to the fleeting nature of human life. After detailing how short and fragile we are, like grass that withers, the psalmist pivots to God's enduring character. This verse, therefore, acts as a powerful declaration of God's constant love and commitment, extending far beyond our brief existence and reaching into future generations.
We all experience how quickly life fades. Seasons change, people grow old and pass away. But what if there's a love that doesn't fade?
The verse contrasts human frailty with God's enduring love. While humans are like grass that withers and flowers that fall, God's steadfast love is described as being 'from everlasting to everlasting.' This isn't just a long time; it speaks to God's eternal nature. His love isn't dependent on our performance or our lifespan. It's a foundational aspect of His being, stretching back before time began and continuing beyond our earthly existence.
Promises made to us often seem to end with us. But the Bible speaks of a faithfulness that extends far beyond our own lives.
The second part of the verse speaks of God's 'righteousness unto children’s children.' This isn't just about God being fair; it's about His covenant faithfulness. He demonstrates His commitment through generations. This righteousness refers to His promise-keeping, His faithfulness to the covenant He established. It assures us that God’s commitment to those who fear Him isn't just for them, but for their descendants too. It's a legacy of grace and faithfulness that echoes through families.
The verse promises great things, but it also mentions a specific group of people who receive them. Who are they, and what sets them apart?
The blessings of God's everlasting love and generational righteousness are given 'on those who fear him.' This isn't about a cowering, terrified fear. It's a reverent awe, a deep respect for God that leads to obedience. It means acknowledging His sovereignty, His goodness, and His holiness, and allowing that recognition to shape our lives. This 'fear' is the response to God's grace, not the cause of it. It's the open door through which His enduring love and faithfulness flow into our lives and extend to our families.
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Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
The covenantal faithfulness of God; His loyal love, mercy, and kindness that He relentlessly extends to His people according to His promises.
yare · Hebrew Verb
Reverential awe, respect, and submission toward God. It is a profound recognition of His holiness that leads to obedience and trust.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
God’s character of absolute moral rectitude and His actions that are always consistent with His holy standards and promises.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between God and His people, establishing a relationship defined by mutual obligations and divine promises.
This passage directly echoes the promise of steadfast love and righteousness extending to future generations for those who fear God, highlighting the covenantal nature of God's faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 7:9It reinforces the idea that God is faithful to His covenant promises, showing steadfast love to thousands of generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments, mirroring the enduring nature of His love described in Psalms.
Isaiah 54:9-10This passage speaks of God's covenant of peace and His unfailing kindness, comparing it to the mountains that will not be moved, which strongly parallels the 'everlasting to everlasting' aspect of His steadfast love mentioned in Psalms.
Romans 8:38-39Paul's declaration that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus emphasizes the unshakeable and eternal nature of God's love, resonating with the psalmist's assertion of God's love enduring from everlasting to everlasting.
Micah 7:20This verse speaks of God showing truth to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, 'as he has sworn to our fathers from the days of old,' directly linking His faithfulness and love to ancient promises and their fulfillment across generations.
bensonPsalms 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;"
Psalm 103:17-18 . But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting, &c. — But though we quickly decay and perish, yet God’s mercy to us doth not die with us, but, as it was from eternity exercised in gracious purposes, so it will be continued unto eternity in that future and endless life which is before us; upon them that fear him — That is, upon th…
gillPsalms 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;"
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,.... In opposition to the frailty of man, the stability and duration of the mercy of God is observed. This reaches from one eternity to another; it is from everlasting in the heart of God: it appeared in the choice of the vessels of mercy; in the covenant of grac…
The verse highlights that God's "steadfast love" isn't just a fleeting emotion, but a deep, enduring faithfulness that spans from eternity past to eternity future. It's a divine commitment, rooted in His very nature, that extends to generations, not merely to individuals, underscoring His covenant faithfulness to those who honor Him.
This psalm is bursting with praise for God's incredible faithfulness, especially in contrast to the fleeting nature of human life. After detailing how short and fragile we are, like grass that withers, the psalmist pivots to God's enduring character. This verse, therefore, acts as a powerful declaration of God's constant love and commitment, extending far beyond our brief existence and reaching into future generations.
This psalm is bursting with praise for God's incredible faithfulness, especially in contrast to the fleeting nature of human life. After detailing how short and fragile we are, like grass that withers, the psalmist pivots to God's enduring character. This verse, therefore, acts as a powerful declaration of God's constant love and commitment, extending far beyond our brief existence and reaching into future generations.
"But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments." — The verse highlights that God's "steadfast love" isn't just a fleeting emotion, but a deep, enduring faithfulness that spans from eternity past to eternity future. It's a divine commitment, rooted in…
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Last reviewed October 2026
