Psalms 118:3

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

Let the house {H1004} of Aaron {H175} now say {H559}, that his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}.

Now let the house of Aharon say, "His grace continues forever."

Let the house of Aaron say, โ€œHis loving devotion endures forever.โ€

Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

Commentary

Psalms 118:3 is a powerful declaration embedded within a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's loyal love.

Context

Psalm 118 is a Hallel Psalm, likely sung during significant Jewish festivals such as Passover, Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), or Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication). It is a joyous song of praise to God for His deliverance and steadfast love. The psalm begins with a general call for all Israel to give thanks, and then specifically invites different groups to affirm a central truth: "his mercy endureth for ever." Verse 3 singles out "the house of Aaron," referring to the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were divinely appointed to serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their role was crucial in the spiritual life of Israel, mediating between God and the people through sacrifices, blessings, and instruction.

Key Themes

  • God's Enduring Mercy (ื—ึถืกึถื“ - Chesed): The core message is the eternal nature of God's mercy. The Hebrew word chesed (often translated as mercy, lovingkindness, or steadfast love) is richer than simple pity. It denotes God's covenant faithfulness, His loyal love, and unwavering kindness that He extends to His people. This divine attribute is foundational to God's character and His relationship with humanity.
  • Priestly Affirmation: The specific instruction for the "house of Aaron" to declare this truth highlights their unique and authoritative position. As spiritual leaders and guardians of God's law, their affirmation of God's enduring mercy carried significant weight and served as a crucial reminder to the entire nation of Israel.
  • Universal Call to Praise: While specific groups are called out (Israel, the house of Aaron, those who fear the Lord), the psalm ultimately builds to a universal chorus of praise, inviting all to acknowledge God's unwavering character.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his mercy endureth for ever" is a recurring refrain in the Psalms, most notably in Psalm 136, where it is repeated 26 times. The Hebrew word for "mercy" is ื—ึถืกึถื“ (chesed), which encompasses loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and unfailing kindness. It is not merely a feeling but an active, committed love. The phrase "for ever" (ืœึฐืขื•ึนืœึธื - l'olam) emphasizes the eternal, unchanging, and perpetual nature of this divine attribute.

Related Scriptures

  • This declaration echoes God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7, where He proclaims Himself as "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands..."
  • The unchanging nature of God's mercy is a theme throughout Scripture, reinforcing His faithfulness (e.g., Malachi 3:6, James 1:17).

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 118:3 serves as a profound reminder of God's steadfast character. Just as the priests of old were to declare God's eternal mercy, so too are those in spiritual leadership, and indeed all believers, called to affirm and live by this truth. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, the assurance that God's loyal love (His very nature) endures forever provides immense comfort, hope, and a firm foundation for faith. It encourages us to trust in His faithfulness even amidst trials, knowing that His compassion never fails.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 134:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

  • Psalms 134:3 (2 votes)

    The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

  • Revelation 5:8 (2 votes)

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

  • Revelation 5:10 (2 votes)

    And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

  • 1 Peter 2:5 (2 votes)

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • Revelation 4:7 (2 votes)

    And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.

  • Revelation 4:11 (2 votes)

    Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.