Psa 100:5 | KingComments | STEP | In it is about Israel, but is addressed to all, including the nations. To Israel and all the nations is said to enter “His gates with thanksgiving”. “His gates” are the gates of Jerusalem. Of these the LORD says that He loves them more than all the dwellings of Jacob ( ). He dwells in that city, for there is His dwelling place, the temple. All worshipers may bring their sacrifice “with praise” into “His courts”, which are the courts of the temple. So close to Him, so in His presence, it is not difficult to praise Him and praise His Name. The occasion for thus coming to Him and praising Him are His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness ( ). Of all people, there is no one who does good, “there is not even one” ( ). Only “the LORD is good” (cf. ). He always has good in mind. Everything He does and everything He gives is good. Always He causes all things to work together for good to those “who love God” ( ). He is not good only every now and then. He is good and therefore “His lovingkindness is everlasting” (cf. ). His lovingkindness is not just lovingkindness as a feature, but lovingkindness that manifests itself in actions. Therefore, in Psalm 136, in each of the 26 verses of that psalm, God’s lovingkindness is linked to an act that demonstrates His lovingkindness. Forever here means during the realm of peace. “Good” is not the same as “lovingkindness”. “Good” is the translation of the Hebrew word tov . “Lovingkindness” is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai. What the text is saying is that God’s lovingkindness is evidenced by His goodness. ‘Goodness no one can take away from God because that is what He is. ‘Lovingkindness’ can be lost (cf. ; ). Lovingkindness is based on the covenant. If Israel does not keep the covenant, it loses the lovingkindness of God. On the basis of the blood of the new covenant, God’s lovingkindness can remain forever ( ; ), while He remains eternally what He always was: good. In direct connection with His lovingkindness, which is everlasting, by which is meant here the realm of peace, “His faithfulness” is mentioned (cf. ; ). His faithfulness is “to all generations”. Each new generation born in the realm of peace may count on His faithfulness. We may also count on this for the time we live on earth, as well as the generations that come after us, until the moment the Lord Jesus comes to take up His church.

‏ Psalms 100:5

The LORD Is Good

In Psa 100:3 it is about Israel, but Psa 100:4 is addressed to all, including the nations. To Israel and all the nations is said to enter “His gates with thanksgiving”. “His gates” are the gates of Jerusalem. Of these the LORD says that He loves them more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Psa 87:2). He dwells in that city, for there is His dwelling place, the temple. All worshipers may bring their sacrifice “with praise” into “His courts”, which are the courts of the temple. So close to Him, so in His presence, it is not difficult to praise Him and praise His Name.

The occasion for thus coming to Him and praising Him are His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness (Psa 100:5). Of all people, there is no one who does good, “there is not even one” (Rom 3:12b). Only “the LORD is good” (cf. Mk 10:18). He always has good in mind. Everything He does and everything He gives is good. Always He causes all things to work together for good to those “who love God” (Rom 8:28).

He is not good only every now and then. He is good and therefore “His lovingkindness is everlasting” (cf. Psa 136:1). His lovingkindness is not just lovingkindness as a feature, but lovingkindness that manifests itself in actions. Therefore, in Psalm 136, in each of the 26 verses of that psalm, God’s lovingkindness is linked to an act that demonstrates His lovingkindness. Forever here means during the realm of peace.

“Good” is not the same as “lovingkindness”. “Good” is the translation of the Hebrew word tov. “Lovingkindness” is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai. What the text is saying is that God’s lovingkindness is evidenced by His goodness. ‘Goodness no one can take away from God because that is what He is. ‘Lovingkindness’ can be lost (cf. Gen 24:27; Jer 16:5). Lovingkindness is based on the covenant. If Israel does not keep the covenant, it loses the lovingkindness of God. On the basis of the blood of the new covenant, God’s lovingkindness can remain forever (Jer 31:31-33; Mt 26:28), while He remains eternally what He always was: good.

In direct connection with His lovingkindness, which is everlasting, by which is meant here the realm of peace, “His faithfulness” is mentioned (cf. Exo 34:6-7; Psa 25:6-7). His faithfulness is “to all generations”. Each new generation born in the realm of peace may count on His faithfulness. We may also count on this for the time we live on earth, as well as the generations that come after us, until the moment the Lord Jesus comes to take up His church.