Psalms 106:1

KJV

¶ Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}. O give thanks {H3034} unto the LORD {H3068}; for he is good {H2896}: for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Halleluyah! Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

Berean Standard Bible

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

American Standard Version

Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:1 serves as a foundational call to worship, framing a psalm that meticulously chronicles Israel's history of rebellion and divine judgment with an unwavering declaration of God's character. It commands both praise and thanksgiving, grounding these essential responses in the eternal attributes of God: His inherent goodness and His steadfast, everlasting mercy. This verse acts as a crucial theological anchor, asserting that despite pervasive human failure and covenant infidelity, God's benevolent nature and unwavering covenant faithfulness remain the ultimate and enduring reasons for all adoration and trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is the concluding psalm of Book IV within the Psalter, often paired with Psalm 105 as a "historical psalm." While Psalm 105 recounts God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people, Psalm 106 provides a stark counterpoint by detailing Israel's repeated acts of disobedience, rebellion, and idolatry throughout their national history, from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile. The opening verse, however, deliberately refrains from immediately launching into this narrative of human failure. Instead, it functions as a crucial prologue, an overarching theological statement that frames the entire subsequent account. By beginning with a resounding call to praise God for His goodness and enduring mercy, the psalmist establishes that even amidst the recounting of Israel's grievous sins and the divine judgments that followed, God's unchanging character of *chesed* (steadfast love/mercy) remains the ultimate reality and the sole source of hope. This sets a tone of worship and trust, ensuring that the reader's focus ultimately rests on God's enduring faithfulness rather than solely on human depravity. The psalm concludes with a plea for restoration, reinforcing the theme of God's mercy as the only path to redemption. This verse's identical phrasing with [Psalms 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalms 107:1 - Give Thanks for Enduring Mercy") and [Psalms 118:1](/psalms/118-1 "Psalms 118:1 - Give Thanks for Enduring Mercy") suggests its liturgical significance as a common doxological refrain in Israelite worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The opening phrase, "Praise ye the LORD," is the Hebrew *Hallelujah*, a powerful liturgical exclamation deeply embedded in Israelite communal worship. It signals a collective call to adoration, frequently employed in temple worship, public assemblies, and festival celebrations. The psalm itself likely reflects a period of profound national reflection on Israel's history, possibly during or after the Babylonian exile, when the people were grappling with the devastating consequences of their unfaithfulness and seeking divine restoration. In such a context of national distress and introspection, the declaration of God's enduring goodness (*ṭôwb*) and mercy (*chêçêd*) would have been profoundly significant and comforting. *Chesed* was a cornerstone of the Mosaic covenant, signifying God's loyal, steadfast love and unwavering commitment to His people, even when they broke their side of the agreement. This concept was not merely abstract but was demonstrated repeatedly through God's patience, forgiveness, and miraculous restoration of Israel despite their persistent rebellion. The cultural understanding of "goodness" (*ṭôwb*) encompassed not just moral purity but also benevolence, generosity, and the provision of all good things, reinforcing God's role as the benevolent sustainer of His creation and His covenant people. Thus, the verse served as a theological bedrock for a people who had experienced both divine judgment and miraculous preservation, reminding them that God's character was the constant amidst their tumultuous history.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Psalm 106 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it establishes **A Universal Call to Praise and Thanksgiving**, encapsulated in the imperative "Praise ye the LORD" (Hallelujah) and "O give thanks unto the LORD." This is not merely an invitation but a divine command to acknowledge God's supremacy and express profound gratitude for His intrinsic character and mighty deeds, setting the stage for a psalm that, despite recounting human failure, ultimately directs worship towards God. Secondly, it highlights **God's Inherent Goodness**, declared simply as "for he is good." This attribute (*ṭôwb*) signifies God's fundamental moral excellence, benevolence, and righteousness, asserting that His nature is the pure source of all blessings and righteous actions. It is a bedrock truth that assures His benevolent intentions towards creation and His people, regardless of their actions, as beautifully articulated in [Psalms 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalms 34:8 - Taste and See That the LORD Is Good"). Thirdly and most significantly, the verse emphasizes **Everlasting Mercy (Chesed)**, stating "for his mercy endureth for ever." This rich theological term encompasses steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and faithful compassion. It describes God's unwavering commitment to His people, extending through generations despite human failings, as vividly illustrated throughout the rest of the psalm. This enduring mercy, which is eternal and unchanging, provides the ultimate ground for hope, repentance, and the possibility of restoration, echoing throughout the Psalter, particularly in [Psalms 136](/psalms/136 "Psalms 136 - His Mercy Endures Forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, this comprehensive term signifies moral excellence, inherent righteousness, benevolence, and pleasantness. When applied to God, it speaks to His intrinsic nature as perfectly upright, kind, and the source of all that is beneficial and delightful. It implies that God's character is fundamentally benevolent and that His actions flow from this pure and righteous disposition.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** From H2617, this is one of the most profound theological terms in the Old Testament, often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It describes God's faithful, active, and enduring love that goes beyond mere pity, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant relationship, even when His people are undeserving. It is a love that is both gracious and loyal, providing redemption and restoration.
* **Forever (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, this term means "forever," "eternally," or "for all time." When combined with *chêçêd*, it emphasizes the eternal, unchanging, and unfailing nature of God's steadfast love. It assures the worshiper that God's mercy is not transient or conditional on human performance, but is an everlasting attribute, providing a constant and reliable foundation for faith and hope across generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Praise ye the LORD.":** This opening imperative, *Hallelujah* (from H1984 and H3050), serves as a direct and urgent summons to the entire community to engage in worship. It is a collective call to acknowledge, extol, and celebrate the greatness, power, and covenant character of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It sets a tone of adoration and reverence, establishing the proper posture of humanity before the divine.
* **"O give thanks unto the LORD;":** This second imperative (from H3034 and H3068) reinforces the call to worship, specifically focusing on gratitude. It urges the people not only to praise God for who He is but also to express profound thankfulness for His actions, His benevolent dealings with them, and His faithfulness throughout their history. This thanksgiving is directed specifically to Yahweh, emphasizing His personal involvement and unwavering commitment.
* **"for he is good:":** This clause provides the first foundational reason for praise and thanksgiving. God's "goodness" (H2896) is presented as an intrinsic attribute of His being. It is not contingent on human merit or circumstance but is an inherent quality of His character, signifying His moral perfection, benevolence, and the source of all that is righteous and beneficial. This declaration assures the worshiper of God's pure motives and righteous will in all His dealings.
* **"for his mercy endureth for ever.":** This clause offers the second, equally crucial reason for worship, building upon the first. God's "mercy" (H2617, *chêçêd*) is His steadfast, covenantal love and loyalty. The phrase "endureth for ever" (H5769, *ʻôwlâm*) emphasizes the eternal, unchanging, and unfailing nature of this mercy. It signifies that God's faithful love is perpetual, extending through all generations and circumstances, providing an unwavering foundation of hope and forgiveness even in the face of human unfaithfulness, as the rest of the psalm will powerfully illustrate.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 106:1 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Imperative**, with the repeated commands "Praise ye the LORD" and "O give thanks unto the LORD." These are not mere suggestions but direct injunctions, underscoring the mandatory and urgent nature of communal worship. The verse also utilizes **Repetition** through the anaphoric use of the conjunction "for" ("for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever"). This structure emphasizes the two primary, foundational reasons for praise, creating a strong sense of logical progression and reinforcing the causal link between God's immutable character and humanity's commanded response. The entire verse functions as a **Declarative Statement** of theological truth, asserting immutable facts about God's nature. Furthermore, its identical phrasing with [Psalms 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalms 107:1 - Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good") and [Psalms 118:1](/psalms/118-1 "Psalms 118:1 - Give Thanks to the LORD, for His Mercy Endures Forever") gives it the quality of a **Refrain**, indicative of its widespread use in Israelite liturgy and its foundational importance as a doxological formula. This refrain-like quality imbues the verse with a sense of timelessness and universal applicability, making it a powerful and memorable call to worship that transcends specific historical contexts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:1 lays a theological bedrock for understanding the entire biblical narrative: that God's inherent goodness and everlasting mercy are the ultimate and unchanging foundations for all creation and redemption. This verse asserts that worship is not merely an emotional response but a rational and commanded response to the immutable character of God. Even when humanity fails, as the rest of Psalm 106 vividly illustrates through Israel's history of rebellion, God's *chesed* remains constant, providing the only hope for repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. It teaches that our praise is anchored not in our performance or fleeting circumstances, but in the eternal nature of a God who is always good and whose love never fails. This truth empowers believers to approach God with confidence, knowing His character is always benevolent and His intentions are always redemptive, even in judgment.

* [Psalms 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalms 107:1 - Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good")
* [Psalms 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalms 34:8 - Taste and See That the LORD Is Good")
* [Psalms 118:1](/psalms/118-1 "Psalms 118:1 - Give Thanks to the LORD, for His Mercy Endures Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:1 calls believers to cultivate a lifestyle of consistent gratitude and worship, recognizing God's unchanging character amidst life's challenges and even our own personal failures. It reminds us that even when we stumble, fall short, or face difficult circumstances, God's goodness and mercy remain constant, providing a steadfast foundation for hope, repentance, and restoration. This verse encourages us to ground our faith not in our fluctuating emotions or imperfect performance, but in the eternal, unshakeable nature of God Himself. It invites us to consciously shift our focus from our struggles, our sins, or the world's instability to the overwhelming reality of His benevolent presence and unwavering love. In a world marked by uncertainty and change, this ancient declaration offers a profound anchor for the soul, urging us to find our ultimate security, peace, and joy in the God "whose mercy endureth for ever."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's inherent goodness and everlasting mercy change your perspective on personal failures or difficult circumstances?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a more consistent lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving, even when you don't "feel" like it?**
* **How does the truth of God's enduring mercy encourage you to extend mercy and forgiveness to others in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Psalm 106 begin with praise when it recounts Israel's failures and God's judgments?**

Answer: Psalm 106:1 serves as a crucial theological frame for the entire psalm. While the psalm meticulously details Israel's repeated acts of rebellion and God's righteous judgments, the opening verse ensures that the overarching narrative is understood through the lens of God's unchanging character. By beginning with "Praise ye the LORD... for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever," the psalmist establishes that even in the face of human sin and divine discipline, God's fundamental goodness and steadfast love (*chesed*) remain the ultimate reality. This framing prevents the psalm from becoming a mere lament over Israel's failures; instead, it becomes a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness, which consistently offers hope for repentance and restoration despite His people's unfaithfulness. It reminds the reader that God's mercy is the constant that undergirds His covenant, providing an unwavering reason for hope and worship even when human beings fail, as seen in the repeated refrain of [Psalms 136](/psalms/136 "Psalms 136 - His Mercy Endures Forever").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:1, with its declaration of God's inherent goodness and everlasting mercy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's *chesed* through His covenant faithfulness to Israel despite their sin, Jesus embodies and perfectly demonstrates this divine attribute. He is the very "goodness" of God made manifest, for as Jesus Himself declared, "no one is good but God alone" ([Mark 10:18](/mark/10-18 "Mark 10:18 - No One Is Good But God Alone")). In Christ, God's mercy is not merely a concept but a Person, as He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The cross is the supreme demonstration of God's enduring mercy, where His steadfast love was poured out for humanity even "while we were still sinners" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, God's mercy "endureth for ever" in a new covenant, offering eternal forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to all who believe ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - I Will Be Merciful to Their Unrighteousness")). Thus, the ancient call to "Praise ye the LORD" and "O give thanks unto the LORD" becomes a Christ-centered Hallelujah, celebrating the God whose goodness and mercy are eternally secured and perfectly revealed in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is full of "grace and truth" ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")).

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.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalms 105:1

¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:34

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

Psalms 136:1

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

Jeremiah 33:11

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

Psalms 118:1

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

Psalms 105:45

That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.