King James Version

What Does Psalms 118:1 Mean?

Psalms 118:1 in the King James Version says “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 118 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 118:1 · KJV

Context

1

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

2

Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3

Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Read Psalms 118 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grounding thanksgiving in God's character rather than circumstances transform your prayer life during difficult seasons?
  2. What is the relationship between God's essential goodness and His enduring mercy, and why does the psalmist mention both?
  3. How can you cultivate corporate testimony of God's <em>chesed</em> within your faith community rather than privatizing thanksgiving?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הוֹד֣וּ1 of 7

“O give thanks”

H3034

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

לַיהוָ֣ה2 of 7

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּי3 of 7
H3588

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

ט֑וֹב4 of 7

“for he 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

כִּ֖י5 of 7
H3588

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

לְעוֹלָ֣ם6 of 7

“endureth for ever”

H5769

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

חַסְדּֽוֹ׃7 of 7

“because his mercy”

H2617

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

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 118:1 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 118:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 16:34Psalms 107:1Psalms 106:1Jeremiah 33:11Psalms 118:291 Chronicles 16:8

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Psalms 118 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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