"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
1 Chronicles 16:34
This chapter of 1 Chronicles is David’s “Psalm of Thanksgiving” after the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Israel. These beautiful words of David, our verse for today, are found at the beginning of Psalm 106, Psalm 107, Psalm 118, and Psalm 136. When the words of Scripture are repeated, they are emphasized for our edification, and a reminder to continually thank the LORD.
“O give thanks unto the LORD;”
Who do we thank? Give thanks to the LORD, Jehovah!
Jehovah, Yahweh (YHWH), is the personal name for our God. This name Jehovah comes from the Hebrew verb that means, “to exist, to be.” Jehovah is the “self-existent” One. He is sometimes called the great “I AM,” implying His changelessness.
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you,” (Exodus 3:14).
Jehovah needs no one or nothing to enable Him, in any way. He is self-sufficient. The Old Testament emphasizes His self-existence and His independence. He is the God of revelation (He reveals to us truth about Himself) and redemption (He is the God of salvation).
This is the God we are called on to thank continually. We thank Him for His goodness to us in so many ways!
“For he is good;”
Why do we need to thank Him? Because He is good!
No good that man can do or evil that man may do can ever change God’s goodness. We add nothing to Him, nor detract anything from Him. He is always good! That truth will never change. When things are going well for us, He is good! When things are not going well, and life is hard, He is good! We are blessed to be able to call Him our God!
“For his mercy endureth for ever.”
What does He do? He gives mercy!
Our God extends mercy to those who need mercy. One of the best examples of His mercy is in His granting salvation to us, instead of giving us His wrath. He has withheld from us the punishment that we justly deserve, to provide us with His salvation that we can never deserve. Even on our best days, we can never measure up to God’s perfect standard, and we fall short.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).
He watches over us and grants us His mercy each day.
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy,” (Psalm 33:18).
He is Good1
By Frank Hernandez, Jeff Nelson
Chorus
He is good
He is good
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the Lord
For He is good
He is good
He is good
His love endures forever
Give thanks for He is good
For His unfailing love
And His wonderful deeds
Give thanks
Give thanks to the Lord
He is good
He is good
His love endures forever
Give thanks for He is good
1. “He is Good,” by Frank Hernandez, Jeff Nelson. Copywrite: 1996 Birdwing Music (a division of EMI Christian Music Publishing), His & Hernandez Music.