Bring joy to God in the morning. Pray His Word back to Him.

Psalm 100
Sing to the Lord, all the world. Worship the Lord with joy. Come before Him with happy songs. Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, we are His flock. Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving. Go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise Him. The Lord is good. His hesed love lasts forever (Note1).

This hymn of thanksgiving invites the whole world to worship God with unbridled joy and hearts filled with gratitude. Why? The psalm provides the answer. Not only has God created us – a gracious act of love in and of itself – but He has made us His own people. He has chosen us and loved us. As with Psalm 23, God’s people are likened to sheep living well in His pasture. The psalm ends on a high note of confidence and hope. At all times – but perhaps more in times of difficulty – we need to be reminded of what is true. Regardless of what seems to be happening around us, God is good. His hesed love and faithfulness endure forever.

Note 1: Hesed: There is no direct translation of this Hebrew word into Greek or English. It is often translated lovingkindness, but the nature, fullness, and magnitude of hesed love can not be translated into English. Hesed love is an unconditional extravagant love, the compulsion to give and to love without limit those who have no merit. Hesed is a defining characteristic of God linked to His compassion and graciousness. It is expressed in His willingness to forgive wrongdoing and to take upon Himself the sin, rebellion, and transgressions of His people.