“For the LORD is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness endures to all generations.” – Psalm 100:5

There is this guy who has stuck in there with me since our secondary school days.

He claims that we’re blood brothers (emisaayi gyasimagana).

It takes a tremendous amount of patience and mercy to continue being close to another human being unconditionally for decades, especially when that person is not perfect.

David, the writer of this psalm, had a personal testimony about God’s enduring goodness, mercy, lovingkindness and faithfulness.

Indeed, this Psalm 100 is a poem of thanksgiving.

It calls on the believer to have genuine gratitude to God for what and who God is and what He will always be, and to acknowledge Him for it.

In our meditation today, David says; “For the LORD is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness endures to all generations.”

Over the millennia, God had demonstrated these qualities with His people throughout the generations.

David, too, came to witness these virtues in his own life over the decades of his life.

Often times; he did mess up; he often acted presumptuously; sometimes he was overcome by lust; he wrecked families, I mean, just name it.

Yet, David always knew that God was still his loving Shepherd – whatever happened.

Goodness, mercy, lovingkindness and faithfulness are virtues that always move together.

Goodness encompasses actions, behaviors, and attitudes that aim at contributing positively to the well-being of others.

Mercy is attitude of forgiveness shown to someone over whom you have the power to punish, which can manifest or example in forgiving a mistake or showing empathy and understanding even when one would has the right to punish the offender.

Lovingkindness (Hebrew, chesed) or ‘loyal love’ represents a deep, steadfast love and grace, often grounded in loyalty and covenantal commitment.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise [to destroy the world], as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

‘Faithfulness’ may relate to the quality of being reliable, steadfast, and loyal – basically involving consistently adhering to one’s commitments, promises, and values especially over a long period of time.

This quality is all about maintaining a reliable and steadfast character, demonstrating integrity and dedication in a person’s relationship with another.

Whereas these values are becoming increasingly rare in our contemporary world, with our God they endure to all generations!

Undoubtedly, the world has deserved punishment throughout the generations.

However, the Bible says; “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise [to destroy the world], as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Indeed, it’s a human weakness to take another’s loyalty, patience and grace for granted.

That is why David insists in Psalm 100 that the believer must “serve the LORD with gladness,” acknowledge His Lordship, “enter into His gates with thanksgiving” and be “thankful to Him at all times.