The Surprising Depth of ‘Hesed’ in Psalm 136.
Have you ever searched for a word that captures unfailing love, loyalty, and covenant faithfulness all at once? There’s a Hebrew word for that—hesed (חֶסֶד)—and it’s the heartbeat of Psalm 136.
Today, we’re unpacking why this word is so rich that English Bibles translate it five different ways in this psalm alone. By the end, you’ll see God’s love in a whole new light. Let’s go!
Psalm 136:1-3 ESV with emphasis on “His steadfast love (hesed) endures forever.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
This phrase repeats 26 times—like a drumbeat of truth. But what’s lost in translation? Let’s rewind to the Hebrew.
WORD STUDY: HESED (חֶסֶד)
A. The Definition Dilemma
Hesed isn’t just ‘love’ or ‘kindness.’ It’s:
Covenant loyalty (God keeping promises)
Unwavering mercy (love when undeserved)
Relentless pursuit (Ruth 1:8, Hosea 2:19)
Fun fact: The Greek Septuagint translates hesed as ‘eleos’ (mercy)—which Jesus echoes in Luke 1:50.
B. Cultural Shock Factor
“In ancient Near East treaties, hesed bound kings to subjects. But Psalm 136 flips it: The Creator God pledges hesed to us. That’s revolutionary!”
C. Pronunciation & Imagery
🎤 Say it with me: ‘kheh-sed’ (guttural ‘ch’). Picture a mother’s grip on her child’s hand in a crowd—that’s hesed.
PSALM 136: A HESED HIGHLIGHT REEL
Lets walk through key moments in the psalm where hesed appears, linking to stories:
- Creation (v. 5-9): “Hesed set the stars in place—for you.
2. Exodus (v. 10-15): “Hesed splits seas and drowns armies.
3. Wilderness (v. 16): “Hesed feeds rebels (us!) with manna.
Every line shouts: ‘My hesed isn’t based on your performance!’
NEW TESTAMENT CONNECTION
Jesus embodies hesed:
- John 1:14 – Full of grace (hesed) and truth.
- Ephesians 2:4-7 – Rich in mercy (eleos).
The cross is hesed on full display—God keeping His covenant at all costs.
APPLICATION: LIVING IN HESED
A. For Doubters:
When you question God’s love, preach Psalm 136 to your soul.
B. For the Weary:
His hesed ‘endures’ (Hebrew: ‘olam’)—literally ‘beyond the horizon.’ Your storm isn’t the end.
C. For Worship:
Try rewriting Psalm 136 with your story: ‘He brought me through _. His hesed endures forever.’
BONUS RESOURCES
Find Five Psalms That Show God’s Hesed.
Challenge: Text ‘HESED’ to a friend with Psalm 136:1.
Also I recommend:
The Hesed of Yahweh by Daniel Block
The Love of Loves in the Song of Songs by Philip Ryken