Psalm 107 begins with an invitation, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" The word give thanks is one word in Hebrew; yada. It is sometimes translated "praise" and is the root from which the name Judah is built. It is also the word for "hand." In the Old Testament, they didn't say "thank you" they gave thanks! Hands are involved by extending them with something that is in them, like a gift.
We do this when we write a thank you note, or when we give someone a gift out of appreciation for something they did for us. In the Bible it is one of the ways to praise God...to give Him gifts with words of recognition, joyful gratitude, exuberant praise for loving us the way that He does. He loves us with His redeeming love, steadfast love.
The word, steadfast love, is the Hebrew word, hesed, and refers to God's covenant-making love. It is a love that chooses, takes initiative, saves, redeems, delivers, and endures forever...it is eternal, like God. We are loved by God with this amazing love and we praise God for loving us the way that He does.
The word, good, is the Hebrew word, towb. It means "good, best, beautiful, pleasing, excellent, supreme." It describes God's creation because God saw Himself in His creation. God alone is good, because God alone is God. There is nothing greater than towb. God's goodness toward us is experienced in His love for us. There is nothing greater in our lives than God and His steadfast love for us in Jesus Christ.
Next week; What does God's love do in our lives?
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