Deeper Reflection
PSALM 103 CENTRES AROUND THE HESED OF GOD. THE Hebrew word hesed (vv.4, 8, 11, 17) has been variously translated in different versions of the Bible: “steadfast love” (ESV, NRSV); “love” (NIV, NLT); “lovingkindness” (NASB); and “loyal love” (NET). The essence of the word is the idea of covenantal faithfulness. Psalm 103 calls all God’s servants to praise God because of His hesed shown to the individual and the community that fears Him and obeys His Word (vv.11, 17-18). The Psalmist contrasted the temporal nature of human life (vv.15-16) with the permanence of God’s hesed (vv.17-18). The former is fleeting like grass and a flower in the field, whereas God’s hesed is “from everlasting to everlasting” (v.17) for all those who fear Him. The gift of God’s righteousness is passed down from generation to generation provided that the people keep His covenant and obey His commandments (vv.17-18).Brothers and sisters, we must not just know the Word of God intellectually. We must live it out in the fear of the Lord! If we desire the next generation in our families and church to know God and make Him known in their spheres of influence, we must authentically live out our faith in daily obedience to the Lord our God. In this way, we help our next generation to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psa 34:8). They will in later years recall and declare, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23).