Psalm 118 4

Psalm 118:4 kjv

Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 118:4 nkjv

Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 118:4 niv

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."

Psalm 118:4 esv

Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

Psalm 118:4 nlt

Let all who fear the LORD repeat:
"His faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 4 Meaning

Psalm 118:4 calls upon all who reverence God, described as "those who fear the Lord," to join in a collective declaration: "His steadfast love endures forever!" This verse is part of a repeated refrain throughout Psalm 118, emphasizing God's eternal covenant faithfulness and merciful kindness. It invites a broader group of worshippers beyond the specific lineage of Israel and the Aaronic priesthood, encompassing all true believers who hold God in reverential awe and obedient respect.

Psalm 118 4 Context

Psalm 118 is the final psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally recited during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. This psalm is a joyful declaration of thanks and praise to God for His saving work and unfailing goodness. The entire psalm builds on the theme of deliverance, celebrating God's triumph over adversaries and His unwavering commitment to His people. Verses 1-4 establish a pattern of calling various groups to affirm God's "steadfast love endures forever," transitioning from general Israel, to the specific priestly lineage (House of Aaron), and then inclusively to "those who fear the Lord." This sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which recounts a personal or national experience of deliverance and leads to a fervent expression of trust and praise. Historically, its liturgical use emphasizes communal response and gratitude for God's enduring faithfulness in liberating and sustaining His people.

Psalm 118 4 Word analysis

• Let those who fear (יִֽאמְרוּ־נָ֭א יִרְאֵ֣י):
  • יִֽאמְרוּ (yi'mrû): A jussive verb, indicating an exhortation or command: "let them say." This points to an active, vocal, and communal declaration.
  • נָ֭א (nā): An emphatic particle, similar to "please" or "now," adding urgency or an invitational tone to the call.
  • יִרְאֵ֣י (yir'e'î): From the Hebrew verb יָרֵא (yare') meaning "to fear." In biblical context, "fear of the Lord" does not primarily mean terror but profound reverence, awe, worship, and humble submission. It is the respectful acknowledgement of God's majesty, holiness, and supreme authority, which leads to trust, obedience, and adoration. This specific phrase distinguishes those who genuinely revere God, irrespective of their ethnic or ritual lineage, highlighting a spiritual qualification. This broadens the invitation beyond mere birthright, hinting at the inclusion of devout proselytes or indeed, anyone who turns to God in true worship (Mal 3:16, Acts 10:35).
• the Lord (יְהֹוָ֑ה): The Tetragrammaton, YHWH (Yahweh), the personal, covenant name of God. This name reveals God's self-existence, His active presence in the world, and His unchanging nature, particularly in His redemptive actions towards His people (Ex 3:14). It underscores that the fear is directed toward the personal, relational God of Israel, not a generic deity.
• say, 'His steadfast love' (כִּ֣י חַסְדּֽוֹ):
  • כִּ֣י (kî): Meaning "for," "that," or "indeed." Here, it introduces the content of the declaration.
  • חַסְדּֽוֹ (ḥasdô): "His steadfast love." The Hebrew term ḥesed (חֶסֶד) is incredibly rich, encompassing loyal love, unfailing kindness, mercy, faithfulness, and enduring grace. It describes God's committed, benevolent actions toward His covenant partners, going beyond mere sentiment to express a robust, reliable, and active commitment (Ps 103:8). This divine attribute is central to God's character and His interaction with humanity.
• endures forever!' (לְעוֹלָ֣ם):
  • לְעוֹלָ֣ם (lĕ'ōlām): Means "forever," "for all time," "eternally," or "to everlasting." It emphasizes the boundless, unending, and perpetual nature of God's ḥesed. It signifies that His covenant faithfulness is not fleeting or conditional upon human merit, but is constant and dependable, providing a secure foundation for hope and trust.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let those who fear the Lord say": This phrase functions as a direct address and an invitation. It marks an inclusive category, differentiating itself from the preceding calls to "Israel" and "the house of Aaron." This broadening of the address to "those who fear the Lord" highlights that the capacity to declare God's steadfast love is rooted in one's reverence and obedience, not solely in ethnic or familial lineage. It points towards a universal appeal to God-fearers beyond a strict nationalistic or Levitical definition (e.g., in the New Testament, God-fearers were often Gentiles attracted to Judaism, as seen in Acts).
• "His steadfast love endures forever!": This is the core refrain of Psalm 118, the central message. Its repetition eight times in the psalm (vv. 1, 2, 3, 4, 29) emphasizes its paramount importance and establishes it as a communal affirmation. It's not merely a theological statement but a profound confession of faith in the unchanging nature of God's loyal and saving grace. This enduring love serves as the unwavering basis for hope and praise, especially in times of difficulty or opposition that the rest of the psalm recounts. It functions as a counter-polemic to the transient nature of worldly power or unreliable deities, proclaiming Yahweh's unique, everlasting commitment.

Psalm 118 4 Bonus section

• The progression from "Israel" (the nation), "house of Aaron" (the priests), to "those who fear the Lord" (all true worshippers) indicates an expanding inclusiveness of those called to praise, demonstrating a foundational theological principle of God's universal reach to all who genuinely respond to Him in reverence.
• The repeated declaration, "His steadfast love endures forever!" served as a liturgical response in ancient Israelite worship, creating a communal, antiphonal praise. This call-and-response structure emphasized shared faith and unified declaration of God's enduring character.
• The ḥesed of God, being "forever," is the ultimate guarantee of His promises and a constant source of divine assistance, sustenance, and salvation. It removes any doubt about God's reliability and His unwavering commitment to His people, past, present, and future.

Psalm 118 4 Commentary

Psalm 118:4 extends the joyful imperative of communal worship, drawing "those who fear the Lord" into the chorus affirming God's perpetual steadfast love. This expansion of the worshipping community beyond the specified groups of Israel and the Aaronic priesthood signifies an inclusive understanding of true worship, open to all who exhibit genuine reverence and awe towards the God of Abraham. The phrase "fear the Lord" points to an obedient, humble, and reverent acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and holiness, which in turn leads to a life aligned with His will. The core message declared – that God's ḥesed, His unfailing covenant faithfulness and merciful kindness, "endures forever" – is the cornerstone of the psalm's triumphant tone. It underscores that God's love is not temporary or conditional on human performance, but eternally steadfast and reliable, forming the bedrock of all salvation and hope. This enduring quality ensures that God's active benevolence towards His creation and His covenant people remains constant through all generations, providing unwavering assurance amidst any trial.