Hallelujah! God’s Lovingkindness Is Everlasting!
This psalm is part of the Great Hallel, a series of psalms to be used by the priests in the corporate worship and praise of God. In this psalm the psalmist calls believers to give thanks to the Lord(1-3). Giving thanks was a public acknowledgement of the character, works, and blessing of God by His people. The psalmist calls his hearers to participate with him in declaring the eternal nature of God’s love for His people demonstrated in His great works. Truly God is Great and God is good!
God should be praised for His mighty works of creation (4-9). God made the heavens, the earth, the stars, the sun, and the moon. They all declare His power and greatness. God displays His glory in His creative works.
God should be praised because He is the sovereign of Israel (10-22). The psalmist focuses on three particular events that demonstrate the love of God for His people. Firstly, the psalmist focuses on the tenth plague, and God’s judgement upon the firstborn of Egypt (10). God also demonstrates His love for His people in His delivering them from Egypt (11-15). God brought Israel out, not Moses. It was God who destroyed Pharaoh’s army and it was God who parted the Red Sea. The final event was the conquest of the promised land during the time of Joshua (16-22). God led them out of the wilderness, God smote the great kings of the land, and God gave the land to His people in accord with His promise to Abraham.
God should be praised for His salvation of believers (23-26). The psalmist makes the love of God personal to him and all worshippers. In light of God’s love and grace worshippers cannot help but give God praise.