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Verses 15-19 form a beautiful contrast between man's life and God's mercy.

I. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN THEIR STRENGTH.

1. Man's life is weak. All men in all places and at all times are like grass, and will soon pass away. But the mercy of the Lord is not weak, feeble, and easily consumed; it is almighty. The almightiness of mercy is proved by its wonderful achievements.

2. Man's life is a disappointment. "As for man, his days are like grass." Grass soon withers away. Such is human life. It is frail, and full of disappointments. But God's mercy is everlastingly green.

II. A CONTRAST IN THEIR BEAUTY. (Isaiah 40:6). This figure refers to human beauty. The apostle calls the beauty of man his glory (1 Peter 1:24). Man's glory is his health, energy, beauty, talent, wisdom. His vigour is soon gone; his beauty fades, his wisdom ceases. But "the beauty of the Lord" — the beauty of holiness — the beauty of mercy never fades away.

III. A CONTRAST IN THEIR DURATION.

1. Man cannot carry out his designs after death, but mercy executes her plans independent of his presence.

2. Mercy distributes her invaluable blessings among families throughout all generations.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

WEB: But Yahweh's loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children's children;