Devine Scripture

Psalms 103:17

What does Psalms 103:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 103:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 103:17 means

In direct and glorious contrast to humanity's fleeting existence (verses 15-16), this verse proclaims the eternal nature of God's lovingkindness. His loyal covenant love extends "from everlasting to everlasting" upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness reaches through generations to their children's children. This emphasizes the enduring, unchanging, and generational blessings of God's faithful character for those who reverence Him, offering permanent hope beyond mortal limits.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the mercy of the Lord is eternal for his worshippers, and their children's children will see his righteousness;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the kindness of Jehovah <FI>Is<Fi> from age even unto age on those fearing Him, And His righteousness to sons' sons,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There the sparrows shall make their nests. The highest of them is the house of the heron.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the loving-kindness of Jehovah is from everlasting and to everlasting, upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children,

Context

This verse serves as a powerful theological pivot, presenting God's eternal lovingkindness as the glorious antithesis to human transience described in verses 15 and 16. It shifts from discussing human frailty to God's enduring character, setting up the conditions for receiving this eternal lovingkindness in verse 18 and providing a basis for universal praise that begins with God's sovereignty in verse 19.

v.16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more.

v.17This passage

v.18To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 46:13

    I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

  • Psalms 89:1

    I will sing of the lovingkindness of Jehovah for ever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

  • Psalms 25:6

    Remember, O Jehovah, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; For they have been ever of old.

  • Psalms 22:31

    They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it.

  • Psalms 90:16

    Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children.

  • Romans 3:21

    But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

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