Ezra 3 11

Ezra 3:11 kjv

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:11 nkjv

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel." Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:11 niv

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:11 esv

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel." And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:11 nlt

With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the LORD: "He is so good!
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!"
Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the LORD because the foundation of the LORD's Temple had been laid.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 11 Meaning

This verse vividly describes the communal worship of the Israelites as they celebrated the laying of the foundation of the second Temple in Jerusalem. It captures their act of praise and thanksgiving, performed responsively, specifically directed to Yahweh. The foundational reason for their exuberant worship is explicitly stated: His inherent goodness and His loyal, unchanging mercy that extends eternally toward His chosen people, Israel.

Ezra 3 11 Context

Ezra chapter 3 describes a pivotal moment in the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. Following their return to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and High Priest Jeshua, the first priority was to re-establish the altar and regular sacrificial worship (Ezra 3:1-6). The focus then shifted to the more daunting task of rebuilding the Temple itself. Verse 11 takes place during the joyous and highly anticipated ceremony of laying the foundation of the second Temple (Ezra 3:7-10). It depicts the public worship response of the assembled people, including priests and Levites, illustrating their renewed commitment to God and their anticipation of restored covenantal presence. This celebration, although mingled with tears from some who remembered the first Temple, highlighted the core identity and hope of the post-exilic community. Culturally, the practice of antiphonal or responsive singing (singing "by course") was a long-standing tradition in Israelite worship, signifying unity and participation. This public declaration of God's goodness and everlasting mercy served as a profound statement of faith amidst challenges and was a strong counterpoint to the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations whose gods were often depicted as capricious.

Ezra 3 11 Word analysis

• And they sang together by course: This phrase (וַיַּעֲנוּ בְּשִׁיר 'wa-ya'anu b'shir' – and they answered with song or they responded in song) indicates an organized, antiphonal, or responsive manner of singing, often practiced in Temple worship. One group would sing a line, and another would respond. It highlights communal participation and order in worship, rather than haphazard expression. It denotes unity in purpose.
• in praising: (לְהֹדוֹת 'le-hodot' – to give thanks, to confess) From the root יָדָה (yadah), meaning to cast or throw out, but in the Hiphil stem, it signifies to confess, praise, give thanks. It is an expression of deep gratitude and acknowledgment of God's character and actions.
• and giving thanks: (וְלַלֵּל 've-la-leel' – and to praise, commend) From the root הָלַל (halal), meaning to praise, boast, shine. This is the root for "Hallelujah." It signifies jubilant, celebratory commendation of God for who He is. Together, "praising and giving thanks" encompasses both adoration for God's being and gratitude for His doing.
• unto the LORD: (לַיהוָה 'la-Yahweh') This refers to God's covenant name, Yahweh, emphasizing His personal relationship and faithfulness to His people, Israel. The focus of their worship is specifically on the God of Israel.
• because he is good: (כִּי־טוֹב 'ki tov' – for good) The Hebrew word טוֹב (tov) denotes inherent goodness, pleasantness, and moral excellence. It signifies that God's very nature is good. This serves as a foundational reason for their praise; God is worthy of praise simply because of who He is. This aligns with many Psalms (e.g., Psa 34:8).
• for his mercy endureth for ever: (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ 'ki le'olam chasdo' – for forever His steadfast love)
  • mercy: (חֶסֶד 'chesed' – steadfast love, loyal love, loving-kindness, faithfulness, covenant loyalty) This is a profound theological term. It refers to God's unfailing, loyal love and faithfulness to His covenant promises, despite human failings. It is not mere pity, but a deep commitment to the covenant relationship.
  • endureth for ever: (לְעוֹלָם 'le'olam' – forever, always, eternity) This phrase emphasizes the eternal, unchanging, and unwavering nature of God's covenantal love. It signifies its perpetual presence and reliability, providing immense assurance and comfort to the returning exiles. This phrase became a liturgical refrain in Israel (e.g., Psalm 136).
• toward Israel: This specific mention clarifies that this particular praise acknowledges God's unique and enduring covenant faithfulness demonstrated to His chosen nation. While God's goodness and mercy are universal, this doxology celebrates their specific experience of it as His people.

Words-group analysis:

• "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD": This phrase beautifully captures the essence of corporate, organized, and focused worship. The collective act of singing, structured for communal participation, directs all adoration and gratitude specifically toward the covenant God, Yahweh. It emphasizes both the "how" (responsive, united) and the "what" (praise and thanks) of their worship.
• "because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel": This constitutes the core theological declaration, the twin reasons for their praise. "Because He is good" speaks to God's intrinsic character and benevolent nature, while "for His mercy endureth forever toward Israel" highlights God's unfailing, active, and eternal covenant faithfulness specifically directed towards His people, despite their past failings. This dual grounding—God's essence and His actions—forms the enduring foundation for all true worship.

Ezra 3 11 Bonus section

The repeated liturgical formula "for his mercy endureth for ever" served as a powerful theological anchor and a direct link to the foundational praise sung by earlier generations of Israelites, especially during David's time and at the dedication of Solomon's Temple. This repetition connects the returning exiles not only to the immediate physical restoration but also to a deeper historical continuity of faith, demonstrating that God's character and covenant remained unchanged through all eras, fulfilling the promise of Jer 33:10-11. This practice was also a direct polemic against the volatile and capricious gods of surrounding cultures; YHWH's loyal love was stable and eternal, providing true security and hope. The emotional expression (weeping for the past Temple vs. shouting for joy over the new foundation) layered onto this structured praise indicates that genuine worship often encompasses a range of human experience, all surrendered to God's faithfulness.

Ezra 3 11 Commentary

Ezra 3:11 offers a snapshot of authentic worship during a time of national rebuilding and spiritual renewal. It underscores that even as the physical temple was being restored, the true focus of the community's hope and identity remained God Himself. Their praise was not circumstantial or performative, but deeply rooted in two foundational truths: God's inherent goodness (His immutable character) and His steadfast, eternal covenant mercy (His unwavering commitment and loving-kindness) directed towards Israel. The responsive singing ritual itself speaks to unity and communal declaration of faith. It was a reaffirmation that despite the trauma of exile and the current challenges of rebuilding, God's fundamental nature and His faithful promises had not changed. This worship provided not only solace but also profound motivation for the immense task ahead, knowing that God's unwavering faithfulness was with them. This pattern of worship, focusing on God's unchanging nature and acts, serves as a timeless example for all believers: praise is a rightful response to God's goodness and enduring grace, not simply His blessings.