Psalms 106:1
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 106:1
Psalm 106 is a long confession of God’s wonders paired with Israel’s repeated failures. Verse 1 opens with a crisp call: “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” This refrain anchors the entire psalm in gratitude, even as the psalmist recounts disobedience and divine mercy. In its historical milieu, the psalms function as liturgical memory—recalling deliverances from Egypt, wilderness experiences, and conquests to shape present worship and identity. The verse signals a pedagogy of praise: gratitude is not passive; it grounds memory and faith in God’s unchanging goodness and steadfast mercy. The opening invitation is both praise and confession: the memory of God’s goodness invites response in praise, even amid the community’s struggles with faithfulness.
Theologically, this verse foregrounds God’s attribute: goodness and steadfast mercy. It sets up the paradox of human sin and divine mercy that the rest of the psalm chronicles. The refrain functions as corrective to despair, reminding believers that God’s character remains constant even when human history reveals flaws. This shapes liturgical practice: gratitude becomes a discipline, shaping identity and trust. The verse also points to the nature of divine faithfulness as the basis for praise, not only for success or blessing but for God’s enduring mercy; it prefigures the New Testament emphasis on mercy through Christ as the grounds for confession and worship.
Practically, begin and end each day with praise and gratitude, even amid challenges. Create regular habits: a daily gratitude list focusing on God’s mercy, a remembrance of blessings in past crises, and an awareness of God’s faithful presence in current trials. In family life, model praise as a response to God’s character, not merely favorable circumstances. In communities, cultivate a culture of thankfulness that tempers entitlement and invites generosity. When dealing with personal failure or collective shortcomings, anchor confession in the reality of God’s mercy, and seek restorative paths—apologies, restitution, and renewed commitments. This verse invites a resilient optimism rooted in God’s unchanging goodness.
Cross-References: Psalm 100:4-5; Psalm 107:1; Lamentations 3:22-23; James 1:17; 1 Chronicles 16:34