Psalm 103:17 says that the LORD’s loving kindness does not run out. It lasts from eternity to eternity for those who fear him, and his righteousness reaches down to their children’s children. The verse was written by David, traditionally understood as the author of this psalm, and it speaks to the people of Israel and to anyone who honors God and seeks to live under his covenant.
But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children…
Psalm 103:17 (WEB)
What Psalm 103:17 Means
The verse begins with “But,” which tells you it is answering what came just before. In verses 15 and 16 the psalmist describes human life as brief, like grass that flourishes and then is blown away. The contrast is deliberate. Our days are short and fragile, but the LORD’s steadfast love is not. The word translated “loving kindness” points to a faithful, committed love that keeps its promises, not a passing feeling.
The phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” means that this love has no beginning and no end. It is not tied to the seasons of your life or to how well you are doing. The verse then narrows its focus to “those who fear him,” meaning those who reverence God and take him seriously. Their children also receive the benefit of this faithfulness across generations.
What the verse does not promise is a life free from hardship or a guarantee that every circumstance will go smoothly. It describes the unchanging character of God’s love and righteousness. It assures you that the relationship is secure, even when everything around you feels temporary.
The Context of Psalm 103:17
Psalm 103 belongs to the Psalms, the collection of Hebrew songs and prayers that Christians and Jews have treasured for centuries. It is a hymn of personal thanksgiving, and the psalmist calls himself to bless the LORD with his whole being. The verses just before our verse (14 to 16) explain why such trust is reasonable: God knows how fragile we are and remembers that we are dust.
The verses that follow (18 to 20) describe the people who keep God’s covenant and the heavenly throne from which he rules over all. Seen this way, verse 17 is the hinge of the psalm. Human frailty is set against divine constancy, and the reader is invited to trust the second even when the first is painfully obvious.
Key Phrases in Psalm 103:17
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. 23 They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
(WEB)
This passage echoes the same truth that God’s steadfast love never ends. Lamentations is written in the middle of national grief, and its author finds renewed hope in the faithfulness of the LORD each morning. Reading it alongside Psalm 103:17 shows how this love sustains people in their darkest seasons, not only in calm ones.
Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.
(WEB)
This verse opens a psalm that repeats the refrain of God’s enduring love throughout its length. Placing it beside Psalm 103:17 helps you see that the steadfast love of the LORD is a central theme of Israel’s worship, celebrated again and again as the foundation of their relationship with him.
A Short Prayer From Psalm 103:17
Lord, you have loved me with a love that has no beginning and no end. When I feel how short and fragile my days are, remind me that your faithfulness is not fragile at all. Help me to fear you with reverence and trust, and let my life be one that honors you. Keep your righteousness flowing through the generations of my family, and let me be a faithful witness to those who come after me. Thank you that your love holds me steady today and forever. Amen.
