Psalms 118:29

Authorized King James Version

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O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for 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׃ for his mercy H2617
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ for 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 (הוֹדוּ לַיהוָה כִּי־טוֹב, hodu la-YHWH ki-tov)—Yadah means give thanks, praise; tov means good, pleasant, beneficial. For his mercy endureth for ever (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki le-olam chasdo)—Chesed means steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy; olam means forever, eternity.

Psalm 118 begins (v. 1) and ends (v. 29) with identical words, forming an inclusio—a literary envelope. This refrain appears repeatedly in Scripture (Psalm 106:1, 107:1, 136:1, 1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Ezra 3:11). It's Israel's foundational confession: God's character is good, and his covenant love never fails. Despite circumstances, this remains true. The repetition teaches us to begin and end with gratitude grounded in God's unchanging nature.

Historical Context

This refrain was sung antiphonally—one group singing the call ("give thanks"), another the response ("for his mercy endures forever"). It accompanied ark processions, temple dedications, and festival worship. When exiles returned, they sang this refrain while laying the temple foundation (Ezra 3:10-11), weeping and shouting simultaneously.

Questions for Reflection