GOD’S GRACIOUS CHARACTER

 Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. (ESV)

I don’t know about you, but when I see this verse, a popular chorus instantly pops into my mind. That song begins, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing …” Do you know the one I’m thinking of?

That song is based on the King James version of this verse. Other than a word order matter— “will I” or “I will” - and a “your” vs. “thy,” the difference comes down to my favorite Hebrew word. Put in English (transliterated), it comes out something like “hesed.” When used of God, it is a word that takes multiple English words to properly express. That’s why the translations differ: KJV & NKJV say “mercies;”  NIV says “great love;” NASB says “loving kindness;” ESV says “steadfast love.” Another way the word can be translated is “covenant faithfulness.”

All of these speak to God’s character (there is a reason I didn’t change the title this week). This verse and the corresponding chorus are resolutions to declare God’s character to the world around us, whether through song or teaching, preaching, and proclaiming (making known). As you sing the chorus or read that verse, I hope you personally make that resolution.

Take another look at the different ways “hesed” is translated. When you speak about God to others (and I hope you do), do you use some of those terms? You ought to.  Sometimes, we can come down hard on people because of their sin, only presenting God as Judge, which He is.  God takes sin seriously, and so should we. In His righteousness, God’s wrath against sin had to be satisfied, and it was … on the cross of Jesus Christ.

That very same cross is the ultimate expression of God’s “hesed,” no matter which terms you use.  We should all celebrate God’s mercies, great love, loving kindness, steadfast love, and covenant faithfulness. This week, I encourage you to speak of God with those terms, whether it be in prayer or in conversation. I think it might just be an encouragement to you and others.  Give it a try and see what happens!

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker