This Psalm focuses on God’s lovingkindness toward Israel throughout Israel’s existence. What is lovingkindness? Lovingkindness is translated from the Hebrew word ‘Chesed.’ Chesed means more than simple kindness. It means giving oneself fully, with love and compassion. More specifically, in this Psalm it describes God’s heart toward Israel.
Through a man named Abraham, God forged a people out of this sinful world to be His own. Before the great flood, the world was totally given over to sin. God is Holy and cannot coexist with sin. So, He destroyed the world with a flood, wiping out all of mankind. All people were killed except for Noah and Noah’s family.
The world was repopulated through Noah, and God did not want to destroy all of mankind again. So, God selected a specific group that He would preserve to be his own.
Throughout the ages, God has nurtured and protected Israel. He has demonstrated great patience and love for Israel. As the Bible says, God’s love for Israel will never die. God even sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to provide the way for Israel to be made Holy. God would then be able to be with them throughout all eternity. The good news is that not just Israel, but all people who believe in Jesus will be allowed to be with God eternally.
