Psalms 118:4 Meaning: A Call for Everyone Who Fears God
Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.
Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
I pray you, let those fearing Jehovah say, That, to the age is His kindness.
Oh let them that fear Jehovah say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 118:4 calls on everyone who fears God to declare His loving kindness endures forever, showing His covenant faithfulness extends beyond Israel.
Context
Psalm 118 is a thanksgiving song, likely sung after a great deliverance. It opens with a repeated call: give thanks because Yahweh is good and His loving kindness never ends. First, the whole nation of Israel is told to say it. Then the priests, the house of Aaron. Then comes this third call: let those who fear Yahweh say it. The phrase 'those who fear Yahweh' is broader than Israel or the priesthood, it reaches out to everyone who reveres the true God, wherever they come from. The rest of the psalm tells the story of one who cried out in distress and was answered, and it draws a lesson for all who trust God.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words open the verse to us. Yir'ei (from yare) means those who fear, but not with terror. It describes a reverent awe that shapes how you live, the kind of fear that draws you close instead of driving you away. The word chesed is often translated loving kindness, but it is thicker than that. It means God's loyal, covenant love, the kind He promises to keep even when we forget Him. And le'olam points to forever, an endless time that stretches beyond anything we can measure. Put them together and the verse invites every person who stands in wonder before God to speak out loud: His faithful love has no end. It is not a secret we keep; it is a truth we say.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from different traditions have seen the same invitation here. John Calvin, writing from a Reformed perspective, understood the psalm as pointing beyond David to the eternal kingdom of Christ, and this call as extending to all who are part of that kingdom. Adam Clarke, a Methodist scholar, said 'those who fear the Lord' means every sincere penitent and genuine believer. And John Gill, a Baptist commentator, noted that it includes not just Jewish proselytes but all people everywhere who fear God. The phrase seems deliberately wide, God's enduring mercy is not limited to one nation or one office.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse only applies to Israel or to the priests. In fact, the psalmist deliberately adds a third group: 'those who fear Yahweh.' In the Old Testament, that phrase is used for Gentiles who worship the true God. The call goes out to everyone, everywhere, who stands in awe of Him.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to do something with your mouth. Not just think about God's love, but say it out loud. This week, find a moment, maybe in the car, at your kitchen table, or before you fall asleep, and speak the words: 'His loving kindness endures forever.' Let yourself hear it. You might start to believe it more deeply. And if you know someone who reveres God but feels alone in their struggle, say it to them too. That is what the psalm does: it passes the song from one voice to another.
Main takeaway: God's steadfast love never fails, and every person who reveres Him is invited to proclaim that truth.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God loves you all the time. He never stops. You can say, “Thank You, God, Your love lasts forever.”
For ages 9, 12
This verse invites every person who respects God to say out loud that His kindness never ends. Sometimes it is hard to remember that when things go wrong. But saying it with your mouth can help your heart believe it. Try it today: “God’s love lasts forever.” That is a promise you can hold onto.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean to 'fear the Lord' in this verse?
It does not mean being scared of God. The Hebrew word describes a reverent awe, a respect that draws you near and shapes how you live. It is the attitude of someone who takes God seriously and trusts His goodness.
Who are 'those who fear Yahweh'?
The phrase is broader than just the nation of Israel or the priests. In the Old Testament, it often includes Gentiles who worship the true God. Commentators like John Gill and Matthew Henry see it as all sincere believers from every people.
Why does the psalm repeat 'His loving kindness endures forever'?
Repetition in Hebrew poetry is a way to press a truth deep into memory. The psalmist wants this foundation, God's unfailing loyal love, to be the chorus that overrides every fear. Each repetition calls a wider circle to join in.
Is Psalm 118:4 only for ancient Israelites?
No. The verse explicitly invites 'those who fear Yahweh', a group that includes anyone who reveres the true God. Christians have always read it as a call to all believers, including themselves.
What is the 'loving kindness' of God?
The Hebrew word is chesed. It means God's loyal, covenant love, not a passing feeling, but a faithful commitment to His people. It is the kind of love that does not give up, even when we fail.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study