Psalm 118 29

Psalm 118:29 kjv

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

Psalm 118:29 nkjv

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

Psalm 118:29 niv

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

Psalm 118:29 esv

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

Psalm 118:29 nlt

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

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 29 Meaning

Psalm 118:29 is a declarative call to worship and an affirmation of the enduring character of God. It functions as both an invitation to give thanks and the foundational reason for such gratitude. The verse asserts two fundamental attributes of the Lord: His inherent goodness and His eternal, unwavering steadfast love or mercy, often referred to by the Hebrew term hesed. It encourages the faithful to perpetually acknowledge and celebrate these core aspects of divine nature, which underpin all His dealings with humanity, particularly within His covenant.

Psalm 118 29 Context

h2 ContextPsalm 118:29 serves as the triumphant conclusion of Psalm 118, a Hallel psalm (Psalms 113-118), which was recited and sung during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover. The entire psalm is a hymn of thanksgiving for Yahweh's steadfast love, saving power, and miraculous deliverance from national distress. It opens with the identical declaration "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (v. 1), thus framing the entire composition with this foundational truth. The intervening verses describe a powerful struggle against enemies (v. 10-14), God's victorious intervention (v. 15-21), and the triumphant affirmation of a "rejected stone" becoming the "head of the corner" (v. 22-23), often understood as a Messianic prophecy, especially regarding Christ's resurrection. The psalm culminates in an enthusiastic call to praise God, emphasizing the permanence of His loving-kindness, regardless of life's challenges. Its liturgical use reinforced the corporate identity and faith of Israel, reminding them of God's consistent covenant faithfulness through generations of deliverance.

Psalm 118 29 Word analysis

ul

• O give thanks (הוֹדוּ - Hodu): This is an imperative verb in the plural, derived from the root יָדָה (yadah), which means to throw, cast, confess, praise, or give thanks. It implies not just mental recognition but an outward, active expression of praise and acknowledgment. The plural form signifies a corporate, communal response from the entire assembly of believers. It is a direct command for all to engage in thanksgiving.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה - La-Adonai / YHWH): The preposition 'to' or 'for' directs the thanksgiving exclusively to YHWH, the personal, covenant Name of God revealed to Israel. This signifies that the praise is due to Him alone, recognizing His supreme sovereignty, authority, and covenant fidelity. It establishes Him as the sole worthy recipient of such profound gratitude.
• for (כִּי - ki): This conjunction means "because" or "for." It introduces the foundational reason for the preceding command to give thanks. It indicates that the goodness and everlasting mercy of God are not incidental, but the very essence that demands and deserves all praise. This word ties the command directly to the character of God.
• he is good (טוֹב - tov): This adjective describes God's inherent nature. Tov encompasses more than just moral uprightness; it implies perfection, pleasantness, beneficence, and absolute integrity. It refers to God as the source of all good, and that His character is inherently benevolent, kind, and just in all His dealings.
• for (כִּי - ki): Repeated to emphasize a second, distinct, but related reason for thanksgiving, further clarifying the "goodness" of God.
• his mercy (חַסְדּוֹ - ḥasdo): The possessive suffix 'his' connects this divine attribute directly to God. Hesed (often translated as mercy, lovingkindness, steadfast love, or covenant faithfulness) is a core theological concept in the Hebrew Bible. It signifies loyal, active, and unwavering love and commitment shown within a relationship, especially God's faithful love to His covenant people, even when they are undeserving. It is God's grace and loyal steadfastness in action.
• endureth for ever (לְעוֹלָם - le'olam): This phrase denotes eternality, perpetuity, and unending duration. It stresses the everlasting, immutable nature of God's hesed. It is not temporary, conditional, or subject to change. This unchanging quality assures believers of His constant presence, care, and faithfulness through all generations and circumstances.

ul

• O give thanks unto the LORD: This phrase functions as a direct, imperative summons to communal worship. It is not an option but a duty and a privilege. It implies a conscious act of gratitude acknowledging the unique identity of the God of the covenant.
• for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever: These two parallel clauses provide the unshakeable foundation for all thanksgiving. God's inherent goodness defines His being, while His everlasting mercy (or hesed) defines His relational steadfastness and faithfulness toward His people. These are not separate attributes but two inseparable facets of His perfect character, which combine to assure the faithful of His benevolent disposition and unfailing covenant loyalty through eternity. This pairing forms a core liturgical affirmation throughout much of the Old Testament.

Psalm 118 29 Bonus section

h2 Bonus sectionThe repetitive nature of this phrase, opening and closing Psalm 118, and appearing throughout Chronicles and other Psalms, highlights its deep liturgical and theological significance within Israelite worship. This verse became a central refrain, serving as a powerful communal affirmation of God's identity, especially during times of deliverance or reconstruction, like the laying of the temple foundations or its dedication. The "forever" aspect (le'olam) carries the weight of eternal reliability, offering immense comfort and assurance. In Christian theology, the full revelation of God's hesed is profoundly seen in the Gospel: the good news that God, out of His eternal lovingkindness, sent His Son, Jesus, to secure everlasting redemption. The ultimate demonstration of God being "good" and His "mercy enduring forever" is found in the cross and resurrection, which forever sealed the new covenant of grace. This Psalm, part of the Hallel, was likely sung by Jesus and His disciples at the Passover Seder on the night He was betrayed, imbuing this very phrase with prophetic fulfillment and profound Messianic significance.

Psalm 118 29 Commentary

h2 CommentaryPsalm 118:29, mirroring its opening verse, encapsulates the essence of biblical worship: gratitude born from a profound understanding of God's unchangeable character. It invites all to participate in a declarative thanksgiving, not merely for specific blessings, but because of who God eternally is. His "goodness" (טוֹב - tov) denotes His perfect, benevolent nature, the source of all that is right and beneficial. This intrinsic quality is perfectly demonstrated through His "mercy" (חֶסֶד - hesed), which is not simply compassion but His steadfast, covenant-keeping, loyal love that actively intervenes for His people. The phrase "endureth for ever" emphasizes the immutability and perpetuity of this divine hesed. It's a love that neither wanes nor fails, providing an eternal foundation for trust and hope, especially pertinent after the trials and triumphs recounted throughout Psalm 118. This verse, therefore, serves as a culminating doxology, summarizing that all reasons for praise flow from God's perfect being and His unceasing commitment to His promises, climaxing in the person and work of Christ, the ultimate revelation of divine goodness and eternal mercy. It reminds believers that no matter the circumstance, God's nature and covenant love remain unwavering.