“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (vs1)
Whatever we're going through doesn’t change the truth that His mercy endures forever. It is the constant by which everything must be judged, the filter of every experience. God’s mercies on us in Christ, all because of Him, are eternal, unwavering, and real. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (vs1).
Let everyone who believes God, serves God, and fears Him join this wonderful song! “Let Israel now say, ‘His mercy endures forever’. Let the house of Aaron now say, ‘His mercy endures forever’. Let those who fear the Lord now say, ‘His mercy endures forever’ (vs2-4). Sing of His mercies, encourage yourself and others, and walk by faith renewed.
He does so much for us in salvation, not only pulling us from destruction, but also giving us the inheritance of sons, which is liberty and love He says, “I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place (freedom)” (vs5). Paul says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”. We’re enabled to love by the same God who sets us FREE from the condemnation of the law, the guilt of sin, and the need to earn God’s favor. We, like Mephibosheth are still lame, and yet we sit rejoicing at the King’s table, receiving the “kindness of God” (2 Sam 9:3, 13).
Secondly, our foes will certainly lose, because God’s on the side of those who help us (vs6-7). He says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.” He's with us, for us, and helping us by the help of preachers, neighbors, brethren, gentle breezes, smile inducing events, etc. He sends these things purposely to comfort.
Therefore, don’t trust men, when the Lord is powerful, merciful, faithful, and your only real help. He says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (vs8). Don’t trust tactics that are cursed. Faith may seem like doing nothing, but it's getting help from God, humbling yourself, and relying upon Him. No man can save you or save himself. In fact, it doest matter what man it is, how strong or spiritual he appears: trusting men is idolatrous, like sleeping with a picture and expecting warmth. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes”.
Thirdly, be confident and bold in Christ. He says, “All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them” (vs10-12). Never walk as if mercy is iffy, and you must hold your head down. Trust the Lord fiercely, assuredly, and restfully. He says, “They surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns; for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them”. Don’t live like you’re poor, when you HAVE unsearchable riches in Christ. Walk upright, live kingly, and take the mercies as promises, “For all the promises of God in Christ are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor 1:20).
The Lord, by His holy power and Son, does good to sinners and helps the defeated. “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... the right hand of the Lord does valiantly” (vs14-15). He rescues by a power that’s in Himself, and He needs no help from others. He doesn’t broker peace or buy salvation from some other source (taking credit where none is due). He Himself does the saving, not angels or men, but His power and rightful authority gives strength to those who help us, and He saves independent of any outside contribution. Salvation is God, as God, working for and in you. “The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly” (vs16). Therefore, we “declare the works of the Lord”, and live the doctrine in our lives, refusing to be forgetful hearers (vs17).
Fourthly, we've suffered, but never too much... we’ve been down, but never out... and we’ve had pain and trouble, but help came when needed to prevent your destruction. He says, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” (vs18). You're corrected but not condemned, chastened but not forsaken with death. Help comes, even when we least expect it, and it is NEVER later than needful.
Indeed, only the righteous - those justified by faith - shall proclaim the Lord’ salvation. He doesn’t receive hypocrites. Only those He actually helps and reveals Himself unto in saving love are able to go into the gates of righteousness and praise Him. He says, “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation” (vs19-21). He receives people who've experienced Him, and He rejoices in our praise.
We love to see the Son, despised and hated by men, and yet chosen and exalted by God. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (vs22-24). He’s shown His power by building the house upon the Rock they despised,and thus, all human hatred and resistance is futile. He reigns, enthrones whom He will, and He’s chosen the Lord Jesus who went about doing good (Acts 10:38; Acts 4:11). Amidst all the haters and opposition, Jesus’ enthronement and saving power is all the more glorious!
Finally, the light of the gospel is how we worship, trusting Christ’s sacrifice for us, and thereby sacrificing ourselves for Him. He says, “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I Pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You” (vs25-28).. We know the blessings are earned by Christ and God gives them to us through His blood. We trust His obedience and render our own sacrifices of humility and love (Rom 12:1-2). We serve people by gospel power revealed to us in the Son.
This Psalm concludes the same way it starts, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (vs29). Extol, praise, and honor Him, no matter who disapproves, because He’s worthy as God your Savior. It's right, wise, and good to practice it.
You have the reasons why we must praise Him, no do it. His mercy endures forever, never falling, changing, or failing! He is God, the Worthy One! Vs29
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