20260422 [새벽묵상] 영원하신 하나님을 경외하라 | Revere the Eternal God (시/Ps 103:12~22)

103:12 동이 서에서 먼 것 같이 우리의 죄과를 우리에게서 멀리 옮기셨으며

12 as far as the east is from the west,

    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

103:13 아버지가 자식을 긍휼히 여김 같이 여호와께서는 자기를 경외하는 자를 긍휼히 여기시나니

103:14 이는 그가 우리의 체질을 아시며 우리가 단지 먼지뿐임을 기억하심이로다

103:15 인생은 그 날이 풀과 같으며 그 영화가 들의 꽃과 같도다

103:16 그것은 바람이 지나가면 없어지나니 그 있던 자리도 다시 알지 못하거니와

103:17 여호와의 인자하심은 자기를 경외하는 자에게 영원부터 영원까지 이르며 그의 공의는 자손의 자손에게 이르리니

103:18 곧 그의 언약을 지키고 그의 법도를 기억하여 행하는 자에게로다

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

    he remembers that we are dust.

15 The life of mortals is like grass,

    they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,

    and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting

    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

    and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18 with those who keep his covenant

    and remember to obey his precepts.

103:19 여호와께서 그의 보좌를 하늘에 세우시고 그의 왕권으로 만유를 다스리시도다

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

    and his kingdom rules over all.

103:20 능력이 있어 여호와의 말씀을 행하며 그의 말씀의 소리를 듣는 여호와의 천사들이여 여호와를 송축하라

103:21 그에게 수종들며 그의 뜻을 행하는 모든 천군이여 여호와를 송축하라

103:22 여호와의 지으심을 받고 그가 다스리시는 모든 곳에 있는 너희여 여호와를 송축하라 내 영혼아 여호와를 송축하라

20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,

    you mighty ones who do his bidding,

    who obey his word.

21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

    you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the Lord, all his works

    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

         어제에 이어서 오늘도 시편 103편을 함께 읽으셨습니다. 어제 우리는 다윗이 자신의 삶 가운데 행하신 하나님의 은택을 기억함으로 하나님이 어떤 분이신지 깨닫는 것을 나누었습니다. 그가 하나님께 시선을 돌릴 때 그는 하나님이 긍휼이 많으시고 은혜로우시며 인자하심이 풍부한 분이라는 것을 기억할 수 있었지요. 오늘의 본문도 마찬가지 입니다. 인간은 유한합니다. 그러나 순간만을 사는 우리와는 다르게 하나님께서는 영원하시지요. 그 영원하심을 따라 당신의 긍휼하심과 자비를 베푸시는 것이 바로 우리 하나님이십니다. 오늘은 “영원하신 하나님을 경외하라”라는 제목으로 말씀을 함께 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction: From Momentary Benefits to Eternal Mercy]

Following yesterday’s message, we continue our journey through Psalm 103. Yesterday, we shared how David realized who God is by remembering the benefits God had bestowed upon his life. When he turned his gaze toward God, he remembered a Lord who is merciful, gracious, and abounding in steadfast love.

Today’s text carries that same heart but adds a profound contrast: humans are finite, but God is eternal. Unlike us, who live only for a fleeting moment, God exists in eternity. It is from this eternity that He pours out His compassion and mercy. Today, I want to share a message titled: “Revere the Eternal God.”

         먼저 하나님의 영원하심에 대해 이야기하기 원합니다. 12절은 하나님께서 우리의 죄과를 동이 서에서 먼 것같이 멀리 옮기셨다고 말하고 있습니다. 자, 여러분 동쪽의 끝이 어디 있습니까? 아니면 서쪽의 끝은 어디 있습니까? 동이 서에서 먼 것같이 라고 하면 이는 끝이 없는 무한함을 가르키는 말이지요. 우리를 용서하시는 하나님의 은혜가 얼마나 큰지 그것을 눈에 보이는 거리로 표현하고 있는데 그 은혜가 무한하다는 것입니다. 또한 13절에서는 그 긍휼하심을 마치 자녀의 연약함을 외면하지 않는 부모의 본능적인 연민처럼, 하나님께서 자기를 경외하는 자를 불쌍히 여기신다고 하십니다. 이렇게 우리를 심판의 대상이 아니라 돌봄과 보호 안에 있는 자녀의 자리에 놓으시는 것이 바로 우리 하나님이시라는 것입니다. 그런데 14절을 보니 그 이유를 이렇게 말하고 있습니다. “이는 그가 우리의 체질을 아시며 우리가 단지 먼지뿐임을 기억하심이로다” 하나님은 우리가 어떤 존재인지 정확히 아십니다. 우리의 체질을 아십니다. 여러분 우리를 누가 만드셨습니까? 하나님이 만드셨습니다. 물건은 만든 사람이 가장 잘 알지요. 마치 토기장이가 자신이 빚은 질그릇의 강도와 한계를 명확하게 아는 것과 같습니다. 우리의 겉과 속을 다 아시며 우리의 연약함과 우리의 유한함을 기억하신다고 말하고 계시지 않습니까? 하나님께서는 우리가 단지 먼지 뿐임을 기억하셔서 그 무한하신 당신의 긍휼을 베푸시는 것입니다.

1. The Infinity of Mercy for the "Dust" (v. 12-16)

First, let us reflect on God’s eternity. Verse 12 tells us that God has removed our transgressions from us “as far as the east is from the west.” Think about it: where is the end of the east? Where is the end of the west? This expression points to an immeasurable infinity. God describes His grace of forgiveness through the lens of distance, telling us that His mercy is literally boundless.

Furthermore, verse 13 says the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him, just as a father has instinctive compassion for his children. God does not place us in the seat of judgment, but in the position of children under His care and protection.

Why does He do this? Verse 14 gives the reason: “For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” God knows exactly who we are. He knows our "frame" (our constitution). Who made us? God did. The creator always knows the creation best—just as a potter knows the exact strength and limits of the clay vessel he has molded. He knows our inner and outer workings; He remembers our frailty and our finitude. Because He remembers we are "but dust," He pours out His infinite compassion upon us.

Verses 15–16 show our finite reality before this infinite God. Our lives are like grass; we flourish like a flower of the field, but when the wind passes over it, it is gone. Even the place where we stood remembers us no more. This could feel like our lives have no meaning. But that is exactly why the Eternal God and His infinite mercy are the true objects of our reverence.

15-16절은 그 무한하신 하나님 앞에 유한한 우리의 모습을 보여주고 있습니다. 순간을 사는 우리의 삶은 그 마저도 연약하여 바람이 지나가면 없어진다고 합니다. 심지어는 우리가 했던 모든 일들이 우리가 떠나고 나면 그 흔적도 남지 않는다고 합니다. 이렇게 보면 우리의 삶이란 대체 무슨 의미가 있나 하는 생각이 들지요. 바로 그렇기에 영원하신 하나님이야말로, 그분의 무한하신 불쌍히 여기심이야말로 우리가 경외해야 할 대상인 것입니다. 17절입니다. 오늘 본문의 핵심입니다. 함께 읽어보시지요. “여호와의 인자하심은 자기를 경외하는 자에게 영원부터 영원까지 이르며 그의 의는 자손의 자손에게 이르리니” 아멘. 우리는 유한하지만 하나님의 신실하신 사랑은 영원부터 영원까지 이른다고 합니다. 태초에 시간이 처음 생기기도 전부터 모든 것이 끝나는 종말 그 너머까지 하나님의 신실하신 사랑은 멈추지 않습니다. 우리는 순간적이고 덧없고 연약한 존재이지만 하나님의 사랑과 의는 우리의 자손과 그 자손의 자손에게 이른다고 하십니다. 하나님의 영원하신 사랑으로 인하여 우리의 삶이 더이상 순간적이고 아무런 흔적 없이 사라져버리는 것이 아니라 이어진다는 것입니다. 의미를 갖게 된다는 것입니다. 다음 세대로 우리의 삶이 연속된다는 것입니다. 필멸자인 우리가 소망을 가질 수 있는 것은 바로 영원하신 하나님의 인자하심 때문이라는 것입니다.

자 그런데 17절에서는 그 하나님의 인자하심이 “자기를 경외하는 자”에게 임한다고 말하고 있습니다. 그 경외함을 18절은 풀어서 이렇게 설명합니다. “곧 그의 언약을 지키고 그의 법도를 기억하여 행하는 자에게로다” 우리는 경외한다고 하면 그저 두려워 하는 감정을 생각합니다. 그러나 본문이 말하고 있는 경외함이란 추상적인 감정이 아니라 하나님과 맺은 언약을 지키려는 삶의 태도를 말하는 것입니다. 그의 법도, 하나님의 말씀을 기억하여 행하는 자. 바로 이것이 경외함이라는 것이지요. 여러분 말씀을 기억하려면 어떻게 해야 하나요? 말씀을 들어야지요. 말씀을 읽어야지요. 듣고 읽지 않는데 어떻게 기억할 수 있겠습니까? 그리고 말씀을 기억하신다면 응당 그 말씀을 또한 행하여야 할 것입니다. 오늘 본문은 우리에게 “언약을 지키고 그의 법도를 기억하는 자”라고 말하지 않습니다. 지키고 기억하여 행하는 자. 바로 그 행함이 하나님을 경외하는 핵심인 것입니다. 순간을 살아가는 유한한 우리가 무한하신 하나님의 영원함에 참여하는 것. 그것은 실로 놀라운 일입니다. 그 놀라운 일을 우리는 행함으로 참여할 수 있습니다. 

2. Eternity in the Hands of the Revere (v. 17-18)

Let’s look at verse 17, the core of today’s text:

“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children.”

We are finite, but God’s faithful love reaches from "everlasting to everlasting." From before time began to beyond the end of all things, His love never ceases. We are transient, fleeting, and weak, yet God promises that His love and righteousness will reach our children and our children’s children. Because of this eternal love, our lives are no longer just momentary flashes that vanish without a trace. Our lives gain continuity and meaning; they carry over into the next generation. We, the mortals, find hope because of the eternal lovingkindness (Hesed) of God.

However, verse 17 specifies that this love is for “those who fear him.” Verse 18 explains what this reverence looks like: “to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.” Often, we think of "reverence" or "fear" as a mere abstract emotion. But the text defines it as a posture of life—a commitment to keep the covenant. It is about those who remember and do His word. To remember the word, we must first hear it and read it. But remembering is not enough; we must act upon it. The text doesn't just say "those who remember the covenant," but those who "remember to do." This "doing"—this action—is the heart of what it means to revere God. This is how we, finite beings of the moment, participate in the eternity of the infinite God.

         마찬가지입니다. 이제 다윗은 영원하신 하나님의 통치가 이세상에 존재하는 모든 것을 다스리심을 선포합니다. 그때에 여호와의 천사들이 하나님을 찬송하는데 그들을 뭐라고 표현하고 있습니까? “능력이 있어” 그런데 그 능력으로 무엇을 한다구요? “여호와의 말씀을 행하며 그의 말씀의 소리를 듣는 여호와의 천사들.” 천사들의 파워, 힘은, 바로 하나님의 말씀의 소리를 듣고 그 말씀을 행하는 것입니다. 천군도 마찬가지입니다. 하나님을 찬송하는 천군 또한 뭐라고 설명합니까? “그에게 수종 들며 그의 뜻을 행하는 모든 천군” 하나님의 뜻을 행하는 모든 천군 이라고 말하고 있습니다. 자 그렇다면 여러분, 영원하신 하나님께서 전 우주를 다스리시는데 하늘의 천군 천사가 모두 하나님의 말씀을 따라 그 뜻을 행합니다. 그렇다면 우리는 어떻게 해야 하겠습니까? 마찬가지지요. 하나님의 지으심을 받고 그 하나님의 통치아래에 있는 모든 피조물들, 우리는, 또 저, 여러분은, 하나님을 찬양하며 그 뜻을 행함으로 하나님을 경외해야 하지 않겠습니까?

3. Universal Praise and the Power of Obedience (v. 19-22)

Finally, David declares that God’s eternal throne rules over everything in existence. He calls upon the angels to praise God, and how does he describe them? He calls them “mighty ones.” But what do they do with that might? They “do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” The true power of an angel lies in hearing and doing God’s word. The heavenly hosts are described similarly: they are His ministers who “do his will.” If the mighty angels and the heavenly hosts—who exist under the sovereignty of the Eternal God—find their purpose in doing His will, what should we do? We, the creatures under His reign, must also revere God by praising Him and doing His will.

         말씀을 맺습니다. 시편 103편은 다윗이라는 한 개인에게 베푸신 은택을 기억함에서 시작하여 한 공동체에 베푸신 하나님의 인자하심, 그리고 전 우주를 다스리시는 하나님의 영원하심을 말하고 있습니다. 그리고 다시 한 사람으로 돌아와서 “내 영혼아 여호와를 송축하라”로 끝을 맺습니다. 영원하신 하나님, 만유를 다스리시는 하나님이시지만 우리를 자식과 같이 긍휼히 여기시는 하나님. 그의 영원하신 인자하심 앞에서 우리는 하늘의 천군 천사들과 같이 하나님을 경외하며 찬양하는 자들이 되어야 할 것입니다. 기도하시겠습니다. 

[Conclusion: Bless the Lord, O My Soul]

In conclusion: Psalm 103 begins with the benefits bestowed upon an individual (David), moves to the lovingkindness shown to a community, and expands to the eternal sovereignty of God over the entire universe. And yet, it ends by coming back to the individual: “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

He is the Eternal God who rules over all, yet He is the Father who pities us like children. Before His eternal lovingkindness, let us be a people who revere and praise Him, just like the heavenly hosts who live to do His will.

Amen.