“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His mercy endures forever;
To Him who alone does great wonders, His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights, His mercy endures forever—
The sun to rule by day, His mercy endures forever;
The moon and stars to rule by night, His mercy endures forever.”
—Psalm 136:1-9

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“Hesed: The Love That Endures Forever”
By Jennifer Kane

Give thanks to the Lord, the Eternal King,
For this hesed endures in everything.
His love spoke light, and the stars were spun—
The work of His mercy, the word of His Son.

What word can hold such infinite grace,
A love that stretches through time and space?
Not fleeting kindness, a moment’s balm,
But steadfast love with an endless calm.

To Him who hung the heavens high,
Who painted the earth and stretched the sky,
Each beam of sunlight, each ocean wave—
Is held by the mercy that still forgave.

Hesed brought rivers, mountains, and seas,
The moon to govern, the sun to appease.
Creation sings, and the stars proclaim—
The steadfast love of His holy name.

This love acts, it rises and bends,
A mercy that moves, a grace that transcends.
It parts the seas, it stills the storm,
It holds creation within its form.

From the first dawn to the setting sun,
His hesed endures, His work not done.
For covenant mercy knows no end,
To sinner, to saint—forever a friend.

Give thanks to the Lord, to the One above,
For His hesed is life, His hesed is love.
Not ours to deserve, but freely received—
This steadfast love for all who believe.

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Scripture: Psalm 136:1-9

The Hebrew word hesed is one of the most beautiful and profound expressions in Scripture. It can’t really be translated into a single English word like either love, mercy, or lovingkindness as it is often translated as. This is because it carries the weight of God’s steadfast love, mercy, loyalty, and faithfulness to His people. Unlike human love that can waver or falter, “hesed” reflects God’s unchanging commitment to His covenant. It is a love that acts—lifting the broken, restoring the sinner, and sustaining the weary.

The refrain of Psalm 136, “His mercy (hesed) endures forever,” reminds us that God’s love does not depend on us but on His nature. Whether in creation, deliverance, or provision, His love is constant, enduring through every season of life.

Psalm 136 declares not just God’s love but His goodness. To say that “the LORD is good” is to acknowledge that goodness flows from His very nature. God does not simply do good things; He is good—eternally and perfectly.

We see His goodness:

In Creation: The beauty and order of the world testify to a Creator who cares. The sun rises and sets in perfect rhythm. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth reflects His care (Psalm 19:1).

In Provision: God provides food for the hungry, strength for the weak, and hope for the weary (Acts 14:17; Matthew 6:26-30).

In Redemption: God’s ultimate act of goodness is seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, God’s hesed—His steadfast love—took on flesh and redeemed us, securing hope for eternity.

Charles Spurgeon beautifully said, “He alone is good in the highest sense; He is the source of good, the sustainer of good, the perfecter of good.” This truth means that even in trials, God’s goodness is not diminished. He is working for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Take a moment today to reflect on God’s steadfast love and goodness in your life. Where have you seen His mercy endure through difficult seasons? Where have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good?

As you go through your day, pause and repeat the phrase, “His mercy endures forever.” Let it shape your perspective and remind you of God’s unchanging love and goodness.

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Heavenly Father, I give You thanks because You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. You are the God of gods and Lord of lords, sovereign over all creation. I see Your love displayed in the beauty of the heavens, the earth, and the lights that rule the day and night. Help me to anchor my heart in Your steadfast love and to praise You with a grateful spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

December 17 2024