תהלים 103:17

Hebrew Modern Translation

וחסד יהוה מעולם ועד עולם על יראיו וצדקתו לבני בנים׃

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Aleppo Codex
יהוה מעולם ועד-עולם על-יראיו וצדקתו לבני בנים

Biblia Hebrica Stuttgartensia (1967/77)
וְחֶ֤סֶד יְהוָ֙ה ׀ מֵעוֹלָ֣ם וְעַד־עֹ֭ולָם עַל־יְרֵאָ֑יו וְ֝צִדְקָתֹ֗ו לִבְנֵ֥י בָנִֽים ׃

Westminster Leningrad Codex
וְחֶסֶד יְהוָה ׀ מֵעוֹלָם וְעַד־עוֹלָם עַל־יְרֵאָיו וְצִדְקָתוֹ לִבְנֵי בָנִֽים ׃

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the mercy: Psalms 89:1, Psalms 89:2, Psalms 100:5, Psalms 118:1, Psalms 136:1-26, Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-8, Ephesians 2:4-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Timothy 1:9

his righteousness: Psalms 22:31, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 51:6, Daniel 9:24, Micah 6:5, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:21-25, 2 Peter 1:1

unto children's: Psalms 90:16, Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 10:15, Isaiah 41:8, Jeremiah 33:24-26, Acts 13:32-34, Romans 15:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:8 - everlasting Exodus 19:5 - keep Deuteronomy 29:9 - General 2 Kings 4:1 - thy servant did fear 1 Chronicles 16:41 - to give 2 Chronicles 6:14 - mercy 2 Chronicles 7:3 - For he is Ezra 3:11 - because Psalms 23:6 - goodness Psalms 25:6 - for they Psalms 25:10 - keep Psalms 30:5 - For Psalms 36:10 - continue Psalms 37:18 - their Psalms 52:1 - goodness Psalms 62:12 - mercy Psalms 90:2 - even from Psalms 103:11 - his mercy Psalms 103:13 - them Psalms 106:1 - for he Psalms 107:1 - for his mercy Psalms 111:3 - righteousness Psalms 118:29 - General Psalms 119:38 - who is devoted Psalms 128:1 - every one Psalms 138:8 - thy mercy Proverbs 19:23 - fear Isaiah 45:17 - an everlasting Isaiah 54:8 - but Isaiah 64:5 - in those Jeremiah 3:12 - for I am Joel 2:18 - and pity Habakkuk 3:6 - his Malachi 3:6 - therefore Luke 1:50 - General John 10:28 - they Acts 11:14 - all Romans 8:35 - shall separate Ephesians 3:18 - able 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - everlasting Hebrews 13:8 - General 1 Peter 1:5 - kept

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 grace, which is founded upon it, and filled with it; every blessing of which flows from it, and therefore are called the "sure mercies of David". And it appears in time in the regeneration of God's elect, which is according to his abundant mercy; in the forgiveness of their sins, which is according to the multitude of his tender mercies; and in their whole salvation, which is by that, and not by works of righteousness; and will endure for ever, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ is unto eternal life. It reaches from the world past to the world to come, as the Targum; and it is so "upon them that fear" the Lord; not with a servile, but a filial fear; a fear of the Lord and his goodness; which only is consistent with the grace and mercy of God, and a sense of it: not that the fear of God is the cause of mercy or grace; but, on the contrary, grace and mercy are the cause of the fear of God; which is a blessing of the covenant of grace, and one of the first things which appear in conversion; but this properly describes the persons who openly and manifestly share in the grace or mercy of God, and to whom he manifests it yet more and more; nor have any reason to believe they are the objects of it, until the true fear of God is wrought in their hearts; and, besides, this character may be given to show that the mercy and grace of God are not limited to the Israelites only, but belong to such of all nations that fear the Lord.

And his righteousness unto children's children; not the essential righteousness of God, but rather his faithfulness in the performance of his promises, which he will not suffer to fail: the justifying righteousness of Christ is here meant; which is an everlasting one, and is unto and upon all them that believe, in all successive generations; which is meant by the phrase of "children's children", even the spiritual seed of Christ, the seed of the church, the seed of Israel; to all and each of which, in every age, the word of God comes, and his promises are fulfilled; and who are justified by and glory in Christ, their righteousness; and who are further described in the next verse, which shows that not the carnal seed of them that fear the Lord are meant.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But the mercy of the Lord - The favor of the Lord; or, his loving-kindness.

Is from everlasting to everlasting - Is from the eternity past to the eternity to come. It had its foundation in the eternal decrees of God; it has its security in his purpose that where it is conferred, it shall not be withdrawn. It had no beginning; it will have no end. There never was a period in the past when it was not the purpose of God to save his people; there never will be a period in the future when it will be said that his saving mercy has ceased. It would be difficult to think of a statement which would at the same time, in so few words, confirm at once the doctrine of the divine decrees, and the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. If either of these doctrines is denied, then what is here stated by the psalmist is not true: if the doctrine of the divine decrees is denied, then his purpose of mercy had a beginning, and is not “from everlasting;” if the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is denied, then his mercy has an end, and is not “to everlasting.”

Upon them that fear him - In respect to those who are his true worshippers, or his true people.

And his righteousness - His righteous purpose; or, his purpose in regard to their “becoming” righteous.

Unto children’s children - literally, “sons of sons.” That is, his purposes embrace the children and children’s children of the righteous; or, they are included in the covenant of mercy. See the notes at Acts 2:39. Compare Exodus 20:6.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 103:17. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting — חסד chesed signifies more particularly the exuberant goodness of God. This is an attribute of his nature, and must be from everlasting to everlasting; and hence, his righteousness (צדקת tsidketh) - his merciful mode of justifying the ungodly, is extended from one generation to another.

Unto children's children. — It is still in force, and the doctrine of reconciliation through Christ shall continue to be preached till the conclusion of time.