Bible Strands
Psalms 118:2
Let Israel say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the nation of Israel, directing them to voice a specific declaration immediately after the opening command to give thanks to the LORD.
The words — The Hebrew יֹאמַר (yo.mar) translates literally as "let it say," paired with יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yis.ra'El) for Israel and חַסְדּוֹ (chas.do) for His covenant loyalty. The phrase לְעוֹלָם (le'olam) anchors this loyalty as enduring forever.
The thread — The text presents this declaration as a recurring refrain, appearing identically in Psalms 118:1 and directed to the house of Aaron in Psalms 118:3. Parallel calls for communal acknowledgment of God's character appear in Psalms 115:9 and Psalms 135:19.
Why it lands — The text commands Israel to verbally affirm that God's covenant loyalty is perpetual. The verse asks readers to participate in a corporate declaration rather than treating the statement as a private theological observation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Cross-references
- Psalms 115:9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.
- Psalms 145:10 All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You.
- Psalms 135:19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD; O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;
- Psalms 147:19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Galatians 6:16 Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
- Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.