Psalms 118:1

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

הוֹד֣וּ O give thanks H3034
הוֹד֣וּ O give thanks
Strong's: H3034
Word #: 1 of 7
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
לַיהוָ֣ה unto the LORD H3068
לַיהוָ֣ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֑וֹב for he is good H2896
ט֑וֹב for he is good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 4 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּ֖י H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְעוֹלָ֣ם endureth for ever H5769
לְעוֹלָ֣ם endureth for ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ because his mercy H2617
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ because his mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 7 of 7
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

Analysis & Commentary

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. This opening verse establishes the liturgical refrain that threads through all 176 verses of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118). The imperative hodu l'YHWH (give thanks to the LORD) calls God's people to corporate testimony. Hodu comes from yadah, meaning to acknowledge, confess, praise—not merely private gratitude but public declaration of God's character and deeds.

The dual rationale follows: for he is good (ki tov) grounds thanksgiving in God's essential character—not circumstantial blessing but intrinsic goodness. Tov encompasses moral excellence, benevolence, and reliability. God's goodness isn't dependent on our perception or circumstances; it's His immutable nature. The second reason: his mercy endureth for ever (ki l'olam chasdo). Chesed is that rich covenantal term combining loyal love, steadfast faithfulness, and merciful kindness. L'olam (forever) emphasizes perpetual, unending duration—God's loyal love never exhausts, never expires, never fails. This refrain appears 41 times in Scripture, most notably throughout Psalm 136 where it punctuates every verse.

Historical Context

Psalm 118 concludes the Egyptian Hallel, sung at Passover when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:30). Jesus and the disciples likely sang this very psalm before heading to Gethsemane. Jewish tradition prescribes Hallel psalms for the three pilgrimage feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) and Hanukkah. The psalm's liturgical structure suggests temple worship, possibly from the post-exilic period (5th-4th century BC) when the restored community celebrated God's faithfulness through exile and return. The call-and-response format (vv. 1-4) mirrors ancient Near Eastern worship patterns found in temple liturgies across cultures.

Questions for Reflection