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Give thanks to the lord for he is good
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Give thanks to the lord for he is good

The Eternal Refrain: “Give Thanks to the Lord, For He Is Good”

Part 1: The Scripture Collection (55 Verses)

 

While the specific phrase “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” appears verbatim in key liturgical texts, the theme permeates Scripture. I have curated these verses to focus strictly on Thanksgiving rooted in God’s Goodness and Mercy.

The Verbatim Proclamation (The “Hodu” Texts)

 

1. 1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

2. Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

3. Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

4. Psalm 118:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

5. Psalm 118:29 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

6. Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

7. Jeremiah 33:11 – “Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

8. Ezra 3:11 – “And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.'”

The Goodness of God (The Reason for Thanks)

 

9. Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

10. Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

11. Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

12. Psalm 135:3 – “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!”

13. Psalm 145:9 – “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”

14. Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

15. Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

16. Psalm 54:6 – “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.”

17. Psalm 52:9 – “I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.”

18. Psalm 25:8 – “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.”

19. Psalm 86:5 – “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

20. Exodus 33:19 – “And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord’.'”

His Mercy Endures Forever (The Context of “He is Good”)

 

Psalm 136 is the “Great Hallel” where every verse ends with this refrain. 21. Psalm 136:2 – “Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22. Psalm 136:3 – “Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 23. Psalm 136:4 – “To him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 24. Psalm 136:5 – “To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 25. Psalm 136:26 – “Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 26. Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” 27. Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” 28. Psalm 31:19 – “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.” 29. Psalm 119:68 – “You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” 30. Psalm 69:16 – “Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.”

New Testament Reflections on Goodness & Thanks

 

31. James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”

32. Romans 2:4 – “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

33. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

34. Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

35. Mark 10:18 – “And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.'”

36. Philippians 4:6 – “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

37. Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

38. Hebrews 13:15 – “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

39. 1 Timothy 4:4 – “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

40. Romans 12:2 – “That by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Thanksgiving in Battle & History

 

41. 2 Chronicles 20:21 – “He appointed those who should sing to the Lord… saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.'” (Jehoshaphat’s victory).

42. 2 Chronicles 5:13 – “… praising the Lord, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,’ the house… was filled with a cloud.”

43. 2 Chronicles 7:3 – “When all the people… saw the glory of the Lord… they bowed down… and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.'”

44. Psalm 109:30 – “With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.”

45. Psalm 30:12 – “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”

46. Psalm 79:13 – “We your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever.”

47. Isaiah 63:7 – “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord… and the great goodness to the house of Israel.”

48. Psalm 145:7 – “They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.”

49. Psalm 27:13 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!”

50. Exodus 18:9 – “And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel.”

51. Psalm 65:4 – “We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple.”

52. Jeremiah 31:14 – “And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”

53. Zecharaiah 9:17 – “For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!”

54. Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”

55. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Part 2: Top 25 Forum Q&A (The Believer’s Search)

 

I have synthesized the most common questions from forums like r/Christianity, GotQuestions, and BibleStudyTools regarding this specific phrase.

1. Q: What does “His mercy endures forever” actually mean in the Hebrew? A: The Hebrew word is Hesed (חֶסֶד). It is untranslatable by a single English word. It means loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast kindness, and mercy wrapped into one. It means God is loyal to His covenant even when we are not.

2. Q: Why is the phrase “For He is good” repeated so often in the Old Testament? A: It was the liturgical response of the congregation. The priests would state a truth, and the people would respond with this phrase. It grounds all worship in the character of God (Goodness) rather than the circumstances of man.

3. Q: Can I say “God is good” when my life is falling apart? A: Yes. This is called the “Sacrifice of Praise” (Heb 13:15). God’s goodness is an ontological fact (who He is), not a fluctuating circumstance. Praising His goodness during bad times is an act of spiritual warfare (See Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20).

4. Q: How is God “good” in the Old Testament when there is so much war? A: God’s goodness includes His justice. He is good because He does not ignore evil; He judges it. His goodness is the standard by which He protects the oppressed and establishes righteousness.

5. Q: What is the difference between “Praising” and “Giving Thanks”? A: Thanksgiving is usually for what God has done (acts). Praise is usually for who God is (nature). “For He is good” bridges both—we thank Him because His nature (Goodness) results in His actions (Mercy).

6. Q: Why did the cloud fill the temple when they sang this specific verse (2 Chron 5:13)? A: Because this specific declaration aligns perfectly with God’s heart. When the people unified in declaring His goodness and mercy, it invited His manifest presence (The Glory Cloud/Shekinah).

7. Q: How can I “taste” that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)? A: “Tasting” implies experience, not just theory. You taste His goodness by trusting Him in a trial and experiencing His deliverance or peace. You learn He is good by leaning on Him.

8. Q: Is “God is good, all the time” in the Bible? A: Not as a direct quote in that order, but the concept is everywhere. Nahum 1:7 says “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble,” implying His goodness persists through trouble.

9. Q: How does Jesus show that “The Lord is Good”? A: Jesus is the incarnation of God’s goodness. Acts 10:38 summarizes Jesus’ life: “He went about doing good.”

10. Q: Does God’s goodness mean He will give me what I want? A: No. A “good” parent does not give a child candy for every meal. God gives what is beneficial for our holiness and eternal joy, which sometimes involves discipline or withholding harmful things (Psalm 84:11).

11. Q: How do I thank God for His goodness when I am depressed? A: Start small. Thank Him for the breath in your lungs or the stability of the ground. Gratitude rewires the brain. Reciting Psalm 136 can be a rhythmic way to center a scattered mind.

12. Q: Why does Jeremiah 33:11 prophesy this phrase? A: Jeremiah was prophesying during the destruction of Jerusalem. He predicted that the sounds of joy would return, specifically the sound of people singing “Give thanks to the Lord… for he is good.” It is a prophecy of restoration.

13. Q: Is there a connection between “Goodness” and “Glory”? A: Yes. When Moses asked to see God’s Glory, God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you” (Exodus 33:19). God’s glory is His goodness.

14. Q: What if I don’t feel thankful? A: Thanksgiving is a command, not a feeling. You obey the command, and often the feelings follow. It is an act of the will.

15. Q: Does “His mercy endures forever” apply to the New Testament? A: Absolutely. It is fulfilled in Christ. The Cross is the ultimate demonstration of “Hesed”—loyal love that endures our sin to save us.

16. Q: How do I teach my kids that God is good when bad things happen? A: Teach them that God is like a Good Shepherd. Sometimes the sheep walk through dark valleys (Psalm 23), but the Shepherd is good because He is with them and protects them.

17. Q: Can I use this verse for grace before meals? A: It is the traditional Jewish and Christian table grace. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” acknowledges the Provider of the food.

18. Q: Why does Satan attack the goodness of God? A: That was the first temptation in Eden (“Did God really say?”). If Satan can make you doubt God’s goodness, you will stop trusting and obeying Him.

19. Q: What is the “Goodness of God” song based on? A: It is largely based on Psalm 23 (“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me”) and Psalm 145.

20. Q: How does gratitude affect my faith? A: Gratitude looks back at what God did (He was good), which builds Faith for what God will do (He will be good).

21. Q: Is it wrong to question God’s goodness? A: Habakkuk and David (Psalms) questioned it. God can handle your questions. Bring them to Him, not against Him.

22. Q: What does “The Lord is good to all” (Psalm 145:9) mean? A: This is “Common Grace.” Sun, rain, food, and life are given to both the righteous and the wicked.

23. Q: How do I make this verse personal? A: Change the pronouns. “I give thanks to You, Lord, for You are good to me.”

24. Q: Why is this verse used in 1 Chronicles 16? A: It was the song David commissioned Asaph to sing when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. It marks the presence of God dwelling with man.

25. Q: Does God’s goodness ever run out? A: No. “His steadfast love endures forever.” It is inexhaustible.

Part 3: 20 Actionable Tips for Daily Application

At Work & Career

 

1. The Password Trigger: Change your computer password to Ps107v1 or GodIsGood! to force yourself to type this truth daily.

2. The Commute Reset: When traffic is bad, repeat: “God is good, and His mercy endures this traffic.” It breaks the stress loop.

3. Conflict Resolution: Before replying to a harsh email, whisper, “Lord, you are good.” It centers you in grace rather than reaction.

4. Success Acknowledgement: When a project succeeds, immediately whisper, “Thank you Lord, for You are good.” Deflect glory to Him.

5. Provision Perspective: View your paycheck not as earnings, but as evidence of God’s goodness providing for you.

In Studies (School/University)

 

6. Exam Anchor: Write “God is Good” at the top of your exam paper (or scratch paper). It reminds you that your worth is in His love, not the grade.

7. Creation Awe: When studying science or biology, use it as a prompt to thank God for the “goodness” of His intricate design.

8. The “Hesed” Note: Keep a sticky note with the word Hesed (Loyal Love) in your planner.

9. Social Anxiety: When walking into a crowded cafeteria, remember “He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

10. Failure Reframe: If you fail a test, declare “God is still good.” Do not let a temporary failure define eternal reality.

Social Life & Relationships

 

11. The Blessing Text: Text a friend: “Just thinking about how good God is to give me a friend like you.”

12. No-Gossip Zone: When conversation turns negative, steer it back: “But honestly, we have a lot to be thankful for.”

13. Hospitality: Host a dinner and read Psalm 136, having guests respond “His love endures forever” after each line.

14. Forgiveness: Extend mercy to a friend who hurt you, because “His mercy endures forever” towards you.

15. Celebrate Others: When a friend gets blessed, rejoice! It is evidence of God’s goodness in the world.

Family & Home

 

16. The Dinner Ritual: Start the meal by saying, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,” and have the family respond, “His love endures forever.”

17. The “Goodness” Jar: Keep a jar where family members drop notes of good things that happened that week. Read them on Sunday.

18. Bedtime Benediction: Trace the cross on your child’s forehead and say, “God is good, and He loves you forever.”

19. Hard Times Pivot: When a crisis hits the home (appliance breaks, sickness), verbally declare: “This is hard, but God is good.” Teach resilience.

20. Morning Alarm: Label your phone alarm “His Mercy is New.” Wake up to the theology of Lamentations 3.

Part 4: Bonus – Deepen Your Understanding 

 

• The “Hodu” Connection: The Hebrew word used for “Give Thanks” in these verses is Hodu (הוֹדוּ). It comes from the root Yadah, meaning to throw or extend the hand. Thanksgiving is an active extension of the hands in adoration and surrender.

• Neurotheology: Studies show that practicing gratitude (like reciting these Psalms) releases dopamine and serotonin, lowering cortisol (stress). The Bible’s command to “Give Thanks” is literally a prescription for mental health.

• The Ark’s Entry: This phrase was the specific “key” that unlocked the Cloud of Glory in 2 Chronicles 5. When the singers hit the line “For He is good,” the Temple was filled with smoke. Goodness is the frequency of God’s presence.