Psalm 118 1

Psalm 118:1 kjv

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 118:1 nkjv

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 118:1 niv

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1 esv

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:1 nlt

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 1 Meaning

Psalm 118:1 is an invitation to all to give thanks to the Lord, affirming His inherent and essential goodness, which is perfectly demonstrated through His steadfast, covenantal love that endures forever. It is a foundational statement of praise, declaring the enduring nature of God's character as the basis for continuous gratitude and worship.

Psalm 118 1 Context

Psalm 118 is the final psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). It begins and ends with the call to thanksgiving, framing the entire psalm. It celebrates a victory or deliverance, likely of the nation of Israel, and acknowledges that salvation comes from the Lord. Historically, it resonated with Israel's experience of miraculous deliverance and God's faithful presence, especially during periods of national restoration like the dedication of the Second Temple. The communal aspect is prominent, a shared expression of gratitude for God's unfailing commitment to His covenant people. It culminates in expressions of confidence in the Lord, portraying Him as the cornerstone of salvation (verses 22-24), a concept Jesus applied to Himself.

Psalm 118 1 Word analysis

• Oh give thanks (הוֹדוּ, Hôḏū):

  • This is a Hiphil imperative, plural form of the verb יָדָה (yada), meaning to praise, thank, confess, or acknowledge.
  • The imperative form indicates a direct command or earnest exhortation to a collective body.
  • It implies an active, intentional, and vocal expression of gratitude, not merely a feeling.
  • It's a call to publicly acknowledge God's character and deeds.

• to the Lord (לַיהוָה, la-YHWH):

  • YHWH is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and relational nature.
  • Using this name emphasizes that the thanks is directed to the specific God of Israel, who has revealed Himself in their history and covenants, distinct from any other gods.
  • It points to God's faithfulness to His promises.

• for He is good (כִּי־טוֹב, kî-ṭôv):

  • כִּי (kî): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," or "that." Here, it provides the reason or grounds for giving thanks.
  • טוֹב (ṭôv): This adjective signifies goodness in its broadest sense: pleasant, agreeable, benevolent, morally upright, excellent, beautiful, and beneficial.
  • God's goodness is not contingent on circumstances but is inherent to His very being (His essential nature), making Him inherently trustworthy and worthy of praise. It signifies that His actions stem from His perfect character.
  • It contrasts sharply with the fickle nature of pagan deities or human morality.

• for His steadfast love (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, kî lə-ʿôlām ḥas-dô):

  • כִּי (kî): Again, "for" or "because," reinforcing the reason for thanks, showing the manifestation of His goodness.
  • לְעוֹלָם (lə-ʿôlām): Meaning "forever," "for all time," "eternally," "without end." This highlights the unending and unchanging quality of His love.
  • חֶסֶד (ḥesed): This is a key Hebrew theological term. Often translated as "steadfast love," "loving-kindness," "mercy," "unfailing love," or "covenant loyalty." It describes a loyal love that is consistent, dependable, and actively demonstrated within the context of a relationship, especially the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It's love in action, rooted in commitment and faithfulness, always seeking the well-being of its object. It emphasizes grace and faithfulness over pure obligation.
  • חַסְדּוֹ (ḥas-dô): The suffix "-ô" means "His," signifying that this steadfast love originates from God.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Oh give thanks to the Lord": This phrase functions as a direct, communal imperative to worship. It sets the tone for the entire psalm as an act of responsive gratitude directed towards the covenant God (YHWH).
  • "for He is good": This clause provides the fundamental reason for thanksgiving, establishing God's inherent character as the bedrock of all praise. His goodness is the unshakeable foundation.
  • "for His steadfast love endures forever": This explains how God's goodness is continually experienced and proven. The eternal nature of His ḥesed is the living manifestation and demonstration of His goodness, ensuring His consistent benevolent action towards His people across all generations and circumstances. It is the unwavering fulfillment of His promises.

Psalm 118 1 Bonus section

This verse's declaration, "for His steadfast love endures forever," becomes a powerful recurring refrain in the Psalms (especially Psalm 136) and throughout Israel's worship, becoming a doxological response to God's mighty acts of deliverance and His covenant faithfulness. The truth presented here provides assurance against fear and doubt, as God's hesed is the antidote to the impermanence of the world. It provides the enduring foundation for all hope and trust, as believers are reminded that no circumstance can sever them from His loyal love. This principle is gloriously revealed in the New Testament through the ultimate expression of God's hesed in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial love and eternal salvation stand as the supreme evidence that His steadfast love truly "endures forever." The Jewish tradition of chanting these words during communal feasts emphasizes its central role in acknowledging divine grace in the life of the individual and the nation.

Psalm 118 1 Commentary

Psalm 118:1 succinctly encapsulates the essence of biblical praise: thanksgiving flows directly from an understanding of God's immutable character. The command "Oh give thanks" is an invitation to engage actively in worship, not merely as an individual, but often corporately as a community. This thanksgiving is grounded in two primary truths about the Lord (YHWH): His intrinsic goodness (ṭôv) and the eternal quality of His covenantal faithfulness (ḥesed). His goodness is not an occasional attribute but His very essence; everything He does flows from it. His steadfast love, or ḥesed, is the dynamic, active expression of that goodness, demonstrated in His unfailing loyalty and merciful actions towards His people throughout history. The phrase "endures forever" elevates this love beyond human fickleness or temporal limitations, guaranteeing God's unceasing benevolence and commitment. This verse therefore calls believers to worship with profound confidence, knowing that the foundation of their relationship with God is an eternal goodness expressed through an unfailing love that consistently upholds His promises.

• Example 1: When faced with a past difficulty God helped overcome, give thanks remembering "He is good; His steadfast love endures forever" in His deliverance.
• Example 2: In times of personal need or uncertainty, remember to give thanks, relying on the truth that "He is good; His steadfast love endures forever" for provision and comfort.