What Does Psalm 136:1 Mean in the King James?
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse names God’s goodness as faithful love that holds through the ages, not a passing mood.
THE MEANING
The LORD’s goodness meets you as faithful love that endures through the ages. Giving thanks is recognizing that goodness; naming it does not make the love begin.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the fear that God’s faithful love expires when a season ends or the world around you changes.
THE ROOT
חֶסֶד
chesed
GROWS FROM
ח־ס־ד
ḥ-s-d
Loyal kindness; faithful love.
English “mercy” can sound like a moment of pardon; חֶסֶד (chesed, faithful love) also carries the depth of loyal care. The verse says it endures לְעוֹלָם (le’olam, through the ages), showing goodness as lasting relationship rather than a passing mood.
ALSO GROWS
ḥasad: To act with kindness or loyalty.
חָסַד
The verb makes faithful love visible as action, not just sentiment.
ḥasid: A person marked by devotion or loyalty.
חָסִיד
This branch shows the same root describing a quality that can shape a person.
הוֹדוּ
hodu
GROWS FROM
י־ד־ה
y-d-h
Acknowledge, praise, give thanks.
“give thanks” in this verse is hodu. The word for giving thanks belongs to the same root as יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, Judah), whose name is linked with praise in Genesis 29:35. Thanksgiving here is recognition: naming the goodness already present.
ALSO GROWS
todah: Thanks or thanksgiving.
תּוֹדָה
The noun gives the verse’s act of acknowledgment a name.
Yehudah: A personal name connected in Genesis 29:35 with praising the LORD.
יְהוּדָה
The shared root links giving thanks with a name formed around praise.
THE PATTERN
God’s goodness is recognized in faithful love that remains when circumstances shift.
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.THE THREAD
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.The word rendered “mercy” in this psalm is rendered “kindness” in Isaiah; both carry חֶסֶד (chesed, faithful love). Isaiah gives the psalm’s enduring love a striking image: even mountains can move, but this love does not depart.
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