King James Version

What Does Psalms 100:5 Mean?

Psalms 100:5 in the King James Version says “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. to all: Heb. to generation an...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 100 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. to all: Heb. to generation and generation”

Psalms 100:5 · KJV

Eternal LifeTruth

Context

3

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. and not: or, and his we are

4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. to all: Heb. to generation and generation

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do God's goodness, mercy, and truth work together in salvation history and personal experience?
  2. What obstacles prevent people from believing God is truly good, especially when experiencing suffering or injustice?
  3. How should the everlasting nature of God's mercy inform both evangelism (offering grace) and discipleship (resisting presumption)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
כִּי1 of 9
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ט֣וֹב2 of 9

“is good”

H2896

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

יְ֭הוָֹה3 of 9

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְעוֹלָ֣ם4 of 9

“is everlasting”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּ֑וֹ5 of 9

“his mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְעַד6 of 9
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

וָ֝דֹ֗ר7 of 9

“endureth to all”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

וָ֝דֹ֗ר8 of 9

“endureth to all”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

אֱמוּנָתֽוֹ׃9 of 9

“and his truth”

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 100:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 100:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:1Psalms 86:5Psalms 107:1Psalms 36:51 Chronicles 16:34Psalms 136:1-26

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