The hesed of the LORD endures forever! (Psalm 117:2).

Indeed, the famous refrain in Psalm 136 repeats 26 times: “His hesed endures forever.”

The word hesed in Hebrew is translated a number of ways in English:

     —Faithfulness. (Psalm 117:2 NIV).

     —Love. (Psalm 136 NIV).

     —Mercy. (Psalm 136 KJV).

     —Steadfast love. (Psalm 136 ESV; Exodus 34:6-7).

     —Lovingkindness. (Psalm 136 NASB).

     —Kindness. (Micah 6:8).

Since no one English word captures the richness of the Hebrew word hesed, I use the Hebrew word hesed in three of my morning meditations:

—the hesed of the LORD endures forever;

—the hesed of the LORD redeems forever; and

—the hesed of the LORD blesses forever.

These three meditations are roughly in the middle of my meditations each morning. This position emphasizes that the hesed of the LORD—the Amazing Grace of the LORD—is the pivot on which my life and all Humanity turns.

As I sometimes remark, I was a History Major in college. And I love to think in terms of the broad sweep of history.

This broad sweep of the history of the hesed of the LORD is the basis for those Psalms that are called Hallels. (See notes in NJSB to Psalms 113-118, 135-136, & 145-150.)

Although these Psalms recount the hesed of the LORD as demonstrated in the history of Israel, there is only one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Therefore, the LORD longs to demonstrate the same hesed to each of us and to all Humanity that he demonstrated—and continues to demonstrate—toward Israel.

Nevertheless, the LORD will demonstrate his hesed to us and to all Humanity in different ways than the ways that he demonstrated—and continues to demonstrate—his hesed to Israel.

Indeed, hesed can only be demonstrated by changing the ways that hesed is demonstrated in order to achieve the unchanging goals of hesed despite changing circumstances. (Appendix 2: “How To Apply the Bible to Specific Matters” in my book The Promised Land).

For example, when we used to drive with our children from the Northeast to Walt Disney World, we took Interstates.

We could not stay on Interstates to reach our unchanging goal of Walt Disney World by always curving to the right. Nor by always curving to the left.

Instead, we needed wisdom to stay on the Interstate by discerning the right times for curving to the right and curving to the left.

We needed wisdom to discern how best to drive all night, staying steadfast on our way to Walt Disney World without turning off to the right nor to the left.

Similarly, we need wisdom how to stay on the “Interstate of Hesed” by discerning the right times for curving right or curving left. (1 Chronicles 12:32; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Therefore, Jesus complained that John the Baptist was wrongly criticized for fasting. And that Jesus himself was wrongly criticized for NOT fasting—for being a “‘glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” Jesus replied to these constantly carping critics: “[W]isdom is proved right by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:18-19).

in my illustration, wisdom is proved right by discerning when to curve right and when to curve left in order to stay on the “Interstate of Hesed”.

Similarly, we need wisdom to discern how to stay steadfast in all our ways along the “Interstate of Hesed” by not turning off to the right nor to the left. It takes wisdom to “[g]ive careful thought to the paths for your feet” so that you “keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27).

Only through wise changes in our steering based on all the facts and circumstances could we achieve our unchanging goal of reaching Walt Disney World.

And only through wise changes in our actions based on all the facts and circumstances can we wisely follow the ways of the unchanging hesed of the LORD in the Way of Jesus (who embodies the hesed of the LORD).

Why are these Psalms about the hesed of the LORD called Hallels?

The Hebrew word “hallel” means “praise”.

For example, we’re familiar with the word “hallelujah” which means “praise the LORD”.

Perhaps you remember the song that I loved singing in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School: “Hallelu—hallelu—hallelu—hallelujah. Praise ye the LORD!”

Often, one half of the room sang (shouted!) as loudly as they could: “Hallelu—hallelu—hallelu—hallelujah!” And the other half of the room sang (shouted!) back as loudly as they could: “Praise ye the LORD!”

Therefore, Psalms are called “Hallels” if they praise the LORD for his hesed.

There is the “Egyptian Hallel”, praising the LORD for saving Israel from slavery in Egypt (Psalms 113-118).

There is the “Great Hallel”, praising the LORD whose name and fame endure forever and praising his steadfast love (his hesed) for he is good and his steadfast love (his hesed) is eternal (Psalms 135 and 136).

There is the “Daily Hallel” at the conclusion of the book of Psalms (Psalms 145-150), celebrating the abundant goodness of the LORD and singing joyously of his blessings.

No wonder the faithful sing to the LORD a new song, praising the LORD for being gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. (Psalms 145:7-8; 149:1; Exodus 34:6-7).

No wonder the ending of the book of Psalms says:

Praise [God] for His mighty acts;

     Praise [God] for his exceeding greatness. . . .

Let all that breathes praise the LORD.

     Hallelujah.

(Psalm 150:2,6)

No wonder I love to start my day by reminding myself that the hesed of the LORD endures forever.

Weather changes.

The weather that day may be stormy. The weather that day may be sunny. The weather that day may be cold. The weather that day may be hot.

But the climate endures. At least if Humanity doesn’t go astray and ruin it! (Isaiah 53:6).

What is the enduring “climate” that the LORD establishes for our life and for Humanity:

The LORD is gracious and righteous;

     our God is full of compassion.

(Psalm 116:5)

No wonder that, as the sun rises on each new day of our life and of Humanity:

We praise the LORD. We extol him.

For great is his love—his hesed—toward us

     and the faithfulness—the hesed —of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD!

(Psalm 117)

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

When have you experienced the hesed of the LORD? How? Why?

When has Humanity experienced the hesed of the LORD? How? Why?

When have you praised the LORD for his great love and faithfulness; for his great hesed; for his Amazing Grace? How? Why?

READ MORE

The Hebrew word hesed expresses the abundant love and faithfulness of the LORD our God.  To learn more about hesed, please read my blogs “The Hesed of the LORD Endures Forever”, “Hesed Saves and Nurtures Baby Moses”, “Hesed Saves Israel—Passover”, “Hesed Nurtures Israel—From the Red Sea to Mount Sinai”, “Hesed Nurtures Israel—Mount Sinai”, “Hesed Establishes the Work of Moses’s Hands—Mount Nebo”, “Hesed Blesses Forever—David”, “Walking Humbly With Hesed—Micah”, “Hoping in Hesed—Jeremiah”, “Hesed Returns Israel to Jerusalem”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—The Vision of Isaiah”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Fulfilling the Law of Moses and the Prophets”, and “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Saving Sheep, Saving Coins, and Saving Sons”.

NJSB refers to the second edition of The Jewish Study Bible by the Jewish Publication Society (Oxford 2014).