Give Thanks to the Lord for He Is Good, for His Mercy Endures Forever—Part 3

 

Let's Begin With Word Studies

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" 

— Psalm 107:1

This study centers on the above Scriptural phrase, quoted six times in the Old Testament.

The definition and pictograph of the Hebrew word for thanks express understanding of His loyal covenant love towards us and communicating it with our mouths and hands, which is symbolic of "throwing" it out there, as was studied in the first part of this series. The Hebrew word for good, concerning God's goodness, comes with the responsibility for us to distinguish it, as was discovered in the second part of this series. This lesson will examine the Hebrew word for mercy. 

A modern-day covenant involves signing a document that outlines possible legal consequences for failing to fulfill it. In the ancient world, covenants were life-or-death agreements. 

Concept of Covenant

A few Hebrew words are translated as "mercy" in the Old Testament. This study will look at one of the most frequently used ones, as in Psalm 107:1, noted in the above section: "chesed חסד." "Chesed חסד" explicitly expresses God's loyal, faithful covenant love.

Sometimes our modern minds struggle to comprehend concepts such as covenants because we lack a frame of reference for them. For instance, a marriage could or should be an example of a covenant because it involves promises and supposed lifetime commitments. However, it is a problematic comparison, as in our culture, the marriage covenant is more like a written contract and is not fully binding. Living in a culture of divorce and disposable relationships has seriously undermined the whole idea of a covenant relationship that was supposed to communicate the ideas of reciprocal love, promises, and a "till death do we part" commitment. Relationship commitments are opted out of and violated as easily as a sign on the dotted line car loan. Promises in our culture are about as flimsy as the pieces of paper we use to sign them. Relationships tend to last as long as the feelings that bind them exist. And we tend to find loopholes to disengage when things aren't working in our favor. This example leaves us with a somewhat distorted image of what a real covenant is about. The Word of God will always be our best guide for understanding the true nature of a covenant.

The grass withers, the flower fades, 

But the word of our God stands forever.” 

— Isaiah 40:8 

 

The Passover observance was a type of covenant agreement between God and His people that involved the sacrifice of a lamb.

Covenant: A Life and Death Matter 

A Biblical covenant is more substantial than a contract because upholding a covenant is a matter of life and death. When ancient tribes covenanted with each other, the deal was sealed with something more relevant to its concept than a piece of paper with a signature. An ancient Near Eastern covenant was usually substantiated by an animal's death, indicating that if the terms of the agreement were violated, the death of the violator would be justified and enforced. Emotional dissatisfaction was not a valid reason for breaking a covenant. Fairness was not a relevant consideration either. 

There is a story in the book of Joshua that illustrates this. A neighboring tribe, the Gibeonites, tricked Joshua into making a covenant with them. God had explicitly instructed Joshua not to enter into a covenant with the people of the land into which they were entering. However, the Gibeonites wanted protection from Joshua's tribe so that they could remain in the land. By covenanting with a stronger tribe, the Gibeonites would obligate the stronger tribe to protect them. So the Gibeonites disguised themselves as coming from a very faraway land, and ultimately, Joshua was talked into entering into a covenant with them. He did not seek the Lord concerning the matter. (Joshua 9)

So, how is Chesed חסד mercy related to the covenant? I like how Vine's Expository Dictionary defines it as lovingkindness.

"The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But hesed is not only a matter of obligation; It is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector ... Hesed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law. Marital love is often related to hesed. Marriage certainly is a legal matter, yet the relationship far transcends mere legalities"

In this description, we see that mercy concerns God's commitment to a relationship with us, and that within this alliance, there is more than just an obligation. Still, a relationship is born and developed within the boundaries of the covenant. The obligations and commitments were intended to serve as a protective wall so that a relationship, including the emotions, could be safely developed. God is the stronger provisional party. It also includes the idea that our reciprocation is displayed through our loyalty, love, and commitment to Him. Isn't it amazing that God would want to covenant with us when we have nothing to offer Him in return but our love and loyalty? 

A fence in pictograph understanding represents safety, protection, and exclusivity. 

Chet ח: Fence

The Hebrew word pictograph explains this further. The Hebrew word for "chesed חסד" consists of three letters: "chet ח," "samech ס, "and "dalet ד."

"Chet ח" is a picture of a fence. It contains the concept of boundaries for a cared-for possession, surrounded and protected on the inside. A couple of Hebrew words using the letter "chet ח" are "friend" and "brother," which show us examples of relationships we might feel safe or protected within. Some other interesting words are embrace, cherish, and favor. All these words describe what can happen within the boundaries (obligations and commitments) of a covenant relationship.

A crutch or walking stick in pictograph understanding represents support.

Samech ס: Crutch

"Samech ס" is a picture of a twisted crutch or prop that conveys the idea of being supported, sustained, held up, and helped. 

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord (rope) is not quickly broken. 

— Ecclesiastes 4:12

A rope is generally made by twisting strands of fiber together, which greatly increases the fibers' strength.

Dwelling with God has everything to do with a covenant. Bob Torango ties this idea together so beautifully with the theme of celebrating "The Feast of Tabernacles." He supports the word picture for "samech" and its relationship to the covenant word mercy. He also expresses that mercy includes God's great desire and invitation to dwell with him, in him, and He in us. 

"Tabernacles means more than God just living in man. It means God “ENTWINING” Himself with man, as the physical booths that were made by the instruction of the Lord, bringing together both supple and bendable branches and also the sturdy and reliable branches to form a BOOTH ... God is ENTWINING Himself in and amongst us, TABERNACLING in and amongst us...joined and made one with God." 

— Bob Torango 

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  

— John 17:22-23

A couple of other words that appear to be on the opposite end of the spectrum, yet using the letter "samech" are "depart" and "reject." These definitions could show us that departing from evil requires being in the covenant and exhibiting our part of the relationship. Not doing so means we are essentially rejecting him. When we sin, we seek to be held up and supported by another source besides Him. When we depart from evil, good results. Sin is about being on the outside, while covenant is about being on the inside. Sin is a vacuum, while the covenant is to be complete and satisfied. Sin is to dwell in darkness, while covenant is to be in the light. They are mutually exclusive places. We must decide whether we want to be in or out. We cannot enter a covenant with God without departing from evil.

A door in a pictograph understanding symbolizes a way or path through. 

Dalet ד: Door

The final letter of the word "chesed," defined as God's covenant, loyal love, is "dalet." This letter is a picture of a door and indicates the direction of entry or exit. A door can welcome or prohibit access. A door involves a decision to enter or not. Relationships hinge on both parties' willingness to let each other in. This verse shows Jesus knocking on the door of our hearts.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

— Revelation 3:20

This verse shows Jesus inviting us to enter His door.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

— John 10:9

There is only one way (door) into the covenant relationship with its benefits of God's "Chesed חסד—Mercy." It is through the blood covenant that our savior, Jesus, became the sacrificial lamb. He bore the penalty for our sins. He was the pure, sweet, innocent life that traded his life for our death so we could live again with Him in paradise. No one enters into covenant except through this door, nor experiences the "chesed חסד" of His covenant.

The Letter "dalet ד" also carries with it the concept of searching, seeking, and inquiring, which are some common phrases in the alphabetic psalms.

• "look upon me,"
• "show me,"
• "deal with me,"
• "let me,"
• "teach me,"
• "command me,"
• "revive me,"
• "make me understand,"
• "strengthen me",
• "remove from me,"
• "grant me,"
• "incline my heart."

These are clear invitations to seek the entrance of the savior who transforms. Entering the "door" involves recognizing the need to be forgiven, cleansed, and transformed, and seeking the only one who can do that.

Putting it all together from our word picture definition, we can see that mercy is experiencing God's love, favor, loyalty, protection, help, and support. We are cherished and embraced within the boundaries of a protected, exclusive relationship. We see that mercy expresses God's desire and will to entwine His life with ours by dwelling within us as we live "in" Him. The only door into this exclusive relationship is recognizing our need and seeking our savior, Jesus, to cleanse us from our sins and transform us. Please note that mercy is a reciprocal relationship, meaning our response is required.

If we consider God's mercy to be who He is rather than something He does, we can see that mercy is His character.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 

— I John 4:7-9

"His mercy ENDURES FOREVER."

It is who He is, who He has always been, and who He will always be. The plans have not changed, God's desire has not changed, and His faithfulness to His covenant is still intact.

"For I am the LORD, I do not change ...

 — Malachi 3:6 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

— James 1:17

He has not changed His mind about us since the day he created a garden, a place for us to dwell with Him. 

The Prodigal returns to his father, illustrating God's mercy.
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum

The Prodigal: A Demonstration of Chesed חסד

The story of the "Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-32) is an excellent example of how God's covenant love works. The son was granted the full rights and privileges of a son while remaining loyal and "in" a relationship with the father. When the son chose to leave His father's house to pursue his own interests, he could not experience or participate in that relationship (covenant) nor experience its benefits (mercy). Still, it did not change the father's will, desire, or character. The father's house still functioned as it always had. The mercy was still where it always had been and awaited him upon his return. The father loved him before he left, while he was gone, and when he came home. The man's experience hinged on his position, not God's. Because "His mercy (covenant love, favor, kindness, protection, and loyalty) endures forever." 

God planned to make a way for man to return to the covenant and experience paradise again, where "chesed" was the atmosphere, through the precious sacrifice of His one and only son, whose death opened a door for us to return home, where we had always belonged. 

May we diligently seek to enter the door of a covenant relationship with God and experience mercy and love from the eternal source. Everything else disappears and will be no more. Do we want to see His covenant?

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.

— Psalm 25:14

© 2010 Tamarajo 

Links to All Articles in This Series

Give Thanks to the Lord: A Word Study on Thanks

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good: A Word Study on the Word "Good"

Give Thanks to the Lord for He Is Good, for His Mercy Endures Forever

Sources

(1) thehouseofthelord.com/Two_Immutable_Things.html 

(2) Alphabetic Psalms are the Psalms that have verses that begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet successively to form acrostics. 

Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testament Words.