Psalm 106:1; 1 Chronicles 16:34
©️2020 by Gloria M. Chang
The Steadfast Love of God
In the 106th Psalm, which recounts the national sins of Israel, the first line bursts into praise and thanksgiving for the hesed (steadfast love, mercy, goodness, and kindness) of God. Hesed is an active faithfulness toward a loved one, not just a feeling. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, the Lord upholds his covenant forever, rescuing his people from every rebellion and iniquity.
Eight infidelities are recalled by the Psalmist, from Israel’s ingratitude after the Exodus, to their abominable sacrifices to the idols of Canaan (see the NABRE footnote to Psalm 106). In spite of the wayward wanderings of his people, the steadfast love of God endures forever.
For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
Psalm 106:45 (ESV)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
Psalm 106:1; 1 Chronicles 16:34 (RSV)
for his steadfast love endures for ever!
Dear GMC, in all my leaf peeping days, I have never seen such a beautifully colored leaf as the one that is bespeckled in yellow, orange, green and a reddish tone. I can’t help asking, is it real?
Dear GMC, my apologies for asking if the leaf is real. I meant to ask instead what plant produces such a beautiful fall leaf?
It’s English ivy. The changing colors are enchanting in the morning light.
Dear GMC, thank you so much for the information. I just ordered a live plant from Amazon to put in my Advent wreath / Mary Garden. I’m so excited for it to come. Thank you!
Dear GMC, eventually we become what we choose. If we choose gratitude, we become grateful. In our many small decisions may we cooperate with God’s grace. And, thank you for introducing us to the Mary garden. Mine is still thriving and a great space for praying and expressing gratitude.
May you receive abundant graces in the sacred space of your Mary Garden!
No end to goodness of God!
No measure to everlasting love.
Each path of my life I trod,
I’m carrying Calvary cross love.
When my burden gets me blue,
My Simons help me go the Way.
Friends, family. bloggers, too,
Thanks be to God for every day.
Yes, thanks be to God for every day! And thank you for your poem of gratitude!
In desert times my faith weakens.
I’m tempted to doubt God will provide.
Lacking water makes me falter,
I don’t walk narrow paths but wide.
Seeking an easy way out,
My doubt rises to new level.
I bow before idols of clay,
Putting a smile on the devil.
Lord, when will you rescue me?
Seeing fiery column ahead
I follow to the open sea,
Fresh water and fruit abound.
Safe dry crossing appears.
I see God’s staff leading me
Home at last on the other side.
Loving God calms all my fears.
This Psalm has special meaning for me because the text was the theme for a weeklong silent retreat that I made some years ago. During quiet time I had the blessing of rewriting the lines to describe times and places in my own life when God’s steadfast love flowed freely.
Thank you, Liz, for sharing your journey of faith from the desert to the sea. Thank you, Lord, for the living water and fruit of the Holy Spirit to satisfy our deepest longings.
Amen!