Psalms 100:5

KJV

For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} is good {H2896}; his mercy {H2617} is everlasting {H5769}; and his truth {H530} endureth to all {H1755} generations {H1755}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI is good, his grace continues forever, and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.

American Standard Version

For Jehovah is good; his lovingkindness endureth for ever, And his faithfulness unto all generations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 100:5 serves as the profound theological bedrock for the preceding calls to worship and joyful service, articulating the unchanging attributes of God that compel such adoration. It declares the Lord's inherent goodness, His unfailing and everlasting mercy (steadfast love), and His enduring truth and faithfulness that extends across all generations, providing an unshakeable foundation for trust and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 100 is a standalone "Psalm of Thanksgiving" or "Psalm of Praise" (מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה, _mizmôr l'tôdâ_). It is a short, vibrant psalm, distinct in its direct call to universal worship. Verses 1-2 issue a global invitation to "make a joyful noise" and "serve the Lord with gladness," urging entry into His presence with singing. Verse 3 establishes the foundational truth that "the Lord, He is God," the Creator and Shepherd of His people. Verse 4 then instructs believers to "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." Verse 5, the focus of this commentary, provides the theological rationale ("For...") for all these commands, grounding the outward expressions of praise in the eternal character of God. It moves from the 'how' of worship to the profound 'why'.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalms 100 is likely a liturgical psalm, intended for use in temple worship, possibly during festivals of thanksgiving or pilgrimage. The imagery of "entering His gates" and "His courts" strongly suggests the Jerusalem Temple. The call for "all the earth" to worship indicates a universal scope, perhaps reflecting the post-exilic emphasis on God's sovereignty over all nations, or simply a poetic hyperbole inviting all creation to acknowledge the one true God. The concepts of God's "goodness," "mercy" (חֶסֶד, _chesedh_), and "truth" (אֱמֶת, _'emeth_) are central to Israelite covenant theology, emphasizing God's loyal faithfulness to His promises and His people, which was a constant source of comfort and identity, especially in times of national upheaval or restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and intrinsic nature of God**, presenting Him as inherently good, not merely performing good deeds but embodying goodness itself. This resonates with themes found throughout [the Pentateuch](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and [the Prophets](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Sovereignty and Comfort"). Secondly, the emphasis on God's "everlasting mercy" (חֶסֶד, _chesedh_) highlights His **covenant faithfulness and steadfast love**, a recurring motif that assures Israel of His unwavering commitment despite their failings, as seen in [Psalm 103](/psalms/103 "Psalm 103 - Bless the Lord, O My Soul"). Lastly, "His truth [endureth] to all generations" speaks to God's **immutability and reliability**, affirming that His word and character are unchanging and trustworthy for every age, a truth echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Work and Justice") and foundational to Israel's hope.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ_):** This word signifies not just moral uprightness but also inherent excellence, pleasantness, and beneficial quality. When applied to God, it means He is the ultimate source of all that is beautiful, beneficial, and perfect. It speaks to His benevolent disposition towards His creation and His people, indicating His nature is entirely wholesome and desirable.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥeseḏ_):** This is a profound and multifaceted term, often translated as "steadfast love," "loving-kindness," or "covenant faithfulness." It denotes a loyal, enduring, and active love that is rooted in a relationship or covenant. It describes God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people, demonstrating compassion and grace even when undeserved. Its "everlasting" nature emphasizes its unending and unfailing quality, flowing from His very being.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _ʾĕmeṯ_):** This word conveys reliability, faithfulness, stability, and trustworthiness. When applied to God, it affirms that His character, His promises, and His word are consistent, dependable, and eternally valid. He is not capricious but steadfast, providing a firm and unshakeable foundation for faith and assurance across all generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD [is] good":** This clause provides the primary and foundational reason for the commands to worship in the preceding verses. It declares God's intrinsic nature as benevolent, perfect, and the ultimate source of all good. This isn't merely about what God does, but who He fundamentally is – His very being is goodness. This inherent goodness underpins all His actions and His relationship with humanity, making Him worthy of all praise.
* **"his mercy [is] everlasting":** Following the declaration of goodness, this clause highlights a specific and profound manifestation of God's character: His enduring compassion and steadfast love. The term "everlasting" (לְעוֹלָם, _lĕ‘ôlām_) emphasizes the eternal, unending quality of this mercy, assuring believers that God's covenant faithfulness and grace are not temporary or conditional on human performance, but extend through all time without ceasing.
* **"and his truth [endureth] to all generations":** This final clause reinforces God's reliability and consistency. His "truth" (אֱמֶת, _ʾĕmeṯ_) signifies His faithfulness, integrity, and the unwavering nature of His promises and word. The phrase "to all generations" (לְדֹר וָדֹר, _lĕḏôr wāḏôr_) underscores the timeless and universal applicability of His truth, ensuring that His character, His principles, and His covenant promises remain valid and dependable for every successive generation of humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second and third clauses ("his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations") echo and expand upon the initial declaration of God's goodness, though each introduces a distinct and vital attribute. This repetition with variation serves to reinforce the multifaceted perfection and immutability of God's character. The structure also functions as a form of **Climax**, building from the general attribute of "goodness" to the more specific and expansive "everlasting mercy" and culminating in the "truth" that endures "to all generations," emphasizing the eternal and universal scope of God's attributes. Furthermore, the use of the causal "For" (כִּי, _kî_) at the beginning signals that the verse provides the **Rationale** or **Foundation** for the preceding calls to worship, making it a concise yet profound theological statement that underpins the entire Psalm's exhortation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 100:5 stands as a foundational theological statement, articulating the immutable attributes of God that serve as the basis for all worship and trust. It reveals a God who is not only inherently benevolent but also eternally faithful in His love and absolutely reliable in His word. This triune declaration of goodness, mercy, and truth forms the bedrock of covenant theology, assuring believers of God's unwavering character and commitment across history. It is a powerful affirmation that God's nature is the ultimate guarantee of His promises and the stability of His relationship with humanity, providing an unshakeable anchor in a changing world and a perpetual reason for praise.

* [Psalms 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies Never Come to an End")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 100:5 offers profound comfort and a compelling invitation to worship, transforming our understanding of God from an abstract concept to a tangible reality. Recognizing God's inherent goodness encourages us to see His hand in every blessing and even in difficult circumstances, trusting His benevolent design. His everlasting mercy assures us of His unfailing compassion and forgiveness, inviting us to approach Him with confidence, knowing His love endures beyond our failures. Furthermore, the enduring nature of His truth provides an unshakeable foundation for our faith in a world constantly shifting its values and certainties. This verse calls us to ground our lives, our hopes, and our worship in the unchanging character of God, motivating us to live lives of joyful gratitude and faithful obedience, confident that His promises are true for us and for generations to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's inherent "goodness" impact your trust in Him during challenging times?**
* **In what specific ways does the "everlasting" nature of God's mercy provide comfort and assurance in your daily life?**
* **How can you more intentionally live in light of God's "truth" that "endureth to all generations," both personally and in your community?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "taste and see that the LORD is good" (as in [Psalms 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord is Good")) in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "the LORD is good"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies God's intrinsic nature as benevolent, perfect, and the ultimate source of all good. It's not merely that He does good things, but that goodness is an essential attribute of His being. This means His character is pure, righteous, and always seeks the well-being of His creation, as seen in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God Saw That It Was Very Good") where He declares His creation "very good."

**How is God's "mercy" everlasting?**

Answer: God's mercy, or _chesedh_ (steadfast love/covenant faithfulness), is "everlasting" in that it is unending, unfailing, and constant throughout all time and circumstances. It is not a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of His covenant character, ensuring His loyal commitment to His people despite their failings. This enduring quality is a consistent theme throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 136](/psalms/136 "Psalm 136 - His Mercy Endures Forever"), where the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" is repeated 26 times.

**Why is it important that God's "truth endureth to all generations"?**

Answer: The enduring nature of God's truth (His faithfulness, reliability, and consistency) means that His character, His promises, and His word are unchanging and dependable for every generation. In a world where values and circumstances constantly shift, God's truth provides an unshakeable foundation and a stable moral compass. It assures us that what was true about God in ancient Israel is still true today and will be true for future generations, providing a basis for trust and hope, as promised in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 100:5, with its declaration of God's inherent goodness, everlasting mercy, and enduring truth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's goodness, for in Him "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Godhead in Christ")). Jesus' life, ministry, and sacrificial death are the supreme demonstration of God's everlasting mercy (חֶסֶד, _chesedh_), for through Him, God's steadfast love was poured out upon humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to a fallen world ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy and Love")). Moreover, Christ Himself is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), making God's eternal truth tangible and accessible. His resurrection secures the promises of God for all generations, confirming the reliability of God's word and establishing an everlasting covenant through His blood ([Hebrews 13:20-21](/hebrews/13-20-21 "Hebrews 13:20-21 - The God of Peace and the Everlasting Covenant")). Thus, the attributes of God celebrated in Psalms 100:5 are not abstract concepts but are perfectly revealed and eternally secured in Jesus, the living demonstration of God's good, merciful, and truthful nature for all time.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.