Psalms 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Psalm 100:5 echoes refrains throughout the Psalter, particularly 'His mercy endureth forever' which punctuates Psalm 136's every verse. This liturgical repetition reinforced covenant theology—despite Israel's repeated failures, God's chesed persists.
For Israel facing exile, these truths were lifelines. When Jerusalem lay in ruins, when Temple worship ceased, when it appeared God had abandoned His people, Psalm 100:5 declared unchanging reality: Yahweh's goodness, mercy, and truth transcend historical circumstances. Even judgment served redemptive purposes rooted in divine faithfulness.
Ancient Near Eastern treaties featured 'loyalty' clauses requiring vassal kings to maintain faithful commitment to suzerains. Israel's covenant with Yahweh inverted this pattern—while Israel owed loyalty, the covenant's foundation was God's prior, persistent chesed. When Israel broke covenant, God initiated restoration (Hosea's marriage metaphor epitomizes this).
The New Testament reveals God's chesed supremely in Christ, the ultimate expression of divine goodness, mercy, and truth (John 1:14, 17). The cross demonstrates both God's goodness (providing salvation), His mercy (forgiving sin), and His truth (fulfilling promises). These attributes are not separate divine moods but unified in God's redemptive character.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's goodness, mercy, and truth work together in salvation history and personal experience?
- What obstacles prevent people from believing God is truly good, especially when experiencing suffering or injustice?
- How should the everlasting nature of God's mercy inform both evangelism (offering grace) and discipleship (resisting presumption)?
Analysis & Commentary
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. This concluding verse provides the theological foundation for all preceding worship imperatives. The connecting "For" (ki, כִּי) introduces three essential attributes motivating praise: goodness, mercy, and truth. These aren't abstract qualities but covenant realities Israel experienced throughout history.
"The LORD is good" (tov Yahweh, טוֹב־יְהוָה) declares God's essential beneficence. Tov encompasses moral goodness, beneficial actions, and pleasing character. God's goodness is not capricious but consistent—He delights in His creatures' welfare, provides abundantly, and works all things toward redemptive purposes. This contradicts pagan deities who were unpredictable, malicious, or indifferent.
"His mercy is everlasting" (l'olam chasdo, לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ) uses the covenant term chesed (חֶסֶד)—loyal love, steadfast kindness, faithful commitment. Chesed is God's covenant loyalty despite Israel's unfaithfulness. "Everlasting" (olam, עוֹלָם) denotes perpetuity without termination. God's chesed doesn't expire when violated or become exhausted through repeated forgiveness.
"His truth endureth to all generations" (v'emunato l'dor vador, וֶאֱמוּנָתוֹ לְדֹר וָדֹר) emphasizes God's faithfulness (emunah, אֱמוּנָה) across time. Emunah means reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfastness. "To all generations" assures each generation that God's promises remain valid. He doesn't change character or revoke commitments (Numbers 23:19).