Psalms 103:17-22: a reflection

17But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children, 18to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts. 19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. 20Praise the LORD, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. 21Praise the LORD, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. 22Praise the LORD, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul!

After dwelling on the frailty and brevity of human life, that our days are like grass, like a flower of the field that the wind passes over and it is gone, Psalm 103 lifts its eyes to something that does not pass: But the LORD's lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children. Against the backdrop of our fleeting lives, the psalm sets the everlasting, unchanging love of God, a love without beginning or end.

Notice the contrast the psalm draws. We are brief, here today and gone tomorrow, like grass that withers. But God's steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting, stretching back before we existed and forward beyond our death, reaching even to our children's children. Our lives are short; his love is eternal. And that eternal love rests on those who fear him, who keep his covenant, embracing them within a love that outlasts their brief days.

That is a deep comfort for creatures as fleeting as we are. Our lives are short and frail, and much that we build and love will pass. But we are held by a love that does not pass, that was there before we were and will remain when we are gone, a love from everlasting to everlasting. When you feel the shortness and fragility of your life, lift your eyes as the psalm does to the God whose love is eternal. Your days are few; his steadfast love toward you is without end. Rest your fleeting life in his everlasting love.

Lord, against the frailty of my brief life, like grass that withers, your word sets your steadfast love, from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear you. When I feel the shortness and fragility of my days, lift my eyes to that eternal love. My life is short; your love is without beginning or end, reaching back before I existed and forward beyond my death. Thank you that I am held by a love that does not pass, that was there before me and will remain when I am gone. Let my fleeting life rest in your everlasting love, and let me fear you and keep your covenant, held within a love that has no end.