1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever! 2-4 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures for ever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures for ever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures for ever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 6-7 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8-9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:1-9 English Standard Version

Once in a while I pause from the systematic posts of books of the Bible to spend a week or two in a Psalm. Psalms 113 to 118 are known as 'Hallel' Psalms. 'Hallel' means 'praise', and when linked to the name of God we get the word 'hallelujah'. These Psalms were sung during the major Jewish festivals, including Passover. What are the reasons given in vs 1 why God's people were called to give Him their thankful praise?

The first reason is simply because God is so wonderfully good. His very nature is that of goodness. We sometimes speak of a person as being 'a good man', or a 'a good woman', and it means they have a character we admire, and are people we can fully trust. That is so much more true of God. What was one big way God's goodness was expressed? (vs 1)

His love is steadfast, and continues forever. God's love is enduring. This is such an important truth that the writer says it three more times in vs 2-4, and calls all of Israel to join him in declaring it. It's said that Psalms 113-118 were used as the people approached the temple in procession, and were a form of 'liturgy' where a response was called for from the congregation. I suggest that, if entered into with heart and soul, the idea of responsive readings can be of great blessing when Christians gather together to worship the Lord.

What was an important way in which God's steadfast love had been shown? (vs 5)

It was by coming to the aid of His people when they were in deep distress, and they cried out to Him for help.

While it's expressed here as the cry of a single person, it's suggested that the Psalm may be intended as a representation of Israel as a nation. There were many times when Israel was in distress, beginning with when they were slaves in Egypt, and again and again in the land God gave them when strong nations attacked them. And, despite the fact that their distress was often because of their unfaithfulness to God, His love remained steadfast, and He heard their cries and came to their aid. Verses 6-7 reflect the confidence this gave to individual believers, as well as to the God fearing people of the nation. If the Lord is on their side, there was no need to fear. What can man do to them?

The apostle Paul put this strongly in his letter to Christians in Rome. He said: “I'm very sure that nothing can separate us from God's love - not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:38-39) What conclusion the writer reach from God's steadfast love? (vs 8-9)

In the world we currently live in where politicians and other public spokesmen make all sorts of promises, those words are ones every Christian should take to heart. It is better to make God our refuge, than to put our trust in people, even powerful rulers. This is why it was so sad when the Israelites of old went to the prophet Samuel and demanded that God give them a king like other nations had. They had lost sight of the fact that it is only God who is truly good, and it is in His steadfast love that weak sinners will ever find true refuge. Happy the man or woman who has fled to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation He gives, and who lives day by day in the assurance of His steadfast love.