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Psalms 118:1 — Word Study

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WLCהוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה כִּי־ ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃

BSAGive thanksyâdâh [praise, acknowledge] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the covenant God] forkîy He is goodṭôwb [pleasant, beneficial] His loving devotionchêçêd [kindness, mercy] endures foreverʻôwlâm [lasts, remains, always, eternally]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 118
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (chas.Do) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 118:1quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist calls for gratitude to the LORD, affirming His goodness and eternal loving devotion.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, speaking to the people of Israel.
Where we areA call to worship, inviting all to recognize God's enduring kindness.
The hard wordחֶסֶד
Take awayGod's goodness and loving devotion are everlasting.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbיָדָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Psalms 118:1

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Call to Thanksgivinggenerated

1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
2Let Israel say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”
3Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”
4Let those who fear the LORD say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

Psalm 118:1 invites the community to express gratitude to the LORD for His goodness and everlasting kindness. This psalm is part of a larger passage that emphasizes God's faithfulness, encouraging all of Israel to acknowledge His loving devotion. The repetition of the phrase about God's kindness throughout the psalm highlights its importance in worship and community life, as seen in verses 2-4.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 118:29Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
2Psalm 103:17But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—
3Psalm 106:1Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
4Psalm 107:1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
5Psalm 136:1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word הוֹד֣וּ, ho.Dugenerated

The verb יָדָה (yadah) means to give thanks or praise, originally implying the act of throwing or casting, similar to shooting an arrow. In worship, it conveys the idea of extending hands in gratitude. This word appears frequently in the Psalms and signifies a communal expression of thanks.

The Hiphil form indicates an imperative action directed towards the community, urging them to actively engage in thanksgiving. This reflects the communal aspect of worship in ancient Israel, where giving thanks was a collective responsibility.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb הוֹד֣וּ governs the entire verse, with a subordinate clause explaining the reason for thanksgiving: כִּי־ט֑וֹב (for He is good). The structure emphasizes the direct call to action followed by the rationale for that action.

The sentence flows from a command to a declaration about God's character, highlighting the importance of both the act of thanking and the reason behind it. The arrangement of clauses reflects the Hebrew poetic style, where the emphasis is placed on the goodness and enduring nature of God's love.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates הוֹד֣וּ as ἐχομολογεῖσθε (echomologeisthe), which means to confess or acknowledge. This choice broadens the meaning from mere thanks to a more comprehensive acknowledgment of God's character.

This translation choice suggests an interpretation that not only recognizes God's goodness but also affirms His attributes in a communal setting, aligning with the psalmist's intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 118:1 calls the people to give thanks to the LORD because He is good, and His loving devotion lasts forever. This verse emphasizes the importance of gratitude in worship and the everlasting nature of God's kindness.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to give thanks to the LORD?

Giving thanks to the LORD means acknowledging His goodness and expressing gratitude for His kindness and mercy.

Why is God's loving devotion significant?

God's loving devotion is significant because it highlights His unchanging nature and the enduring relationship He has with His people.

How can we practice giving thanks today?

We can practice giving thanks by recognizing the blessings in our lives and expressing gratitude through prayer, worship, and acts of kindness.

What does the repetition of 'His loving devotion endures forever' signify?

The repetition signifies the importance of God's faithfulness and serves as a reminder of His unwavering love and commitment to His people.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I express gratitude to God in my daily life?
  2. How does recognizing God's goodness affect my perspective on challenges?
  3. What are some specific examples of God's loving devotion that I can reflect on?
  4. How can I encourage others to acknowledge and give thanks for God's goodness?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early church fathers, including Augustine of Hippo, referenced this psalm to emphasize the importance of confessing and praising the LORD for His goodness.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 118 354–430
...We are taught in this Psalm, when we chaunt Allelujah, which means, Praise the Lord, that we should, when we hear the words, "Confess unto the Lord" [Psalms 118:1],
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
Augustine of HippoSERMON 29:1 354–430
We have been admonished to confess to the Lord, and indeed commanded to do so by the Spirit of God. And we have been told the reason for confessing to the Lord: “since he is good.” It is said very briefly;
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

O give thanks unto the Lord,.... For all his mercies, temporal and spiritual; as all should, who are partakers of them: this should be done always, and for all things, in the name of Christ; it is

Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Psalms 118 THE This Psalm most probably was composed by David, when the civil wars between the houses of Saul and David were ended, and David was newly settled in the kingdom of all Israel, and had newly brought up the ark of God to his royal city, But though this was the occasion, yet David, or at least the Spirit of God, which indited this Psalm, had a further reach and higher design in it, and especially in the latter part of it, which was to carry the reader’ s thoughts beyond the type to the antitype, the Messias and his kingdom, who was chiefly intended in it; which is apparent both from the testimonies produced out of it to that purpose in the New Testament, as ,42 Mr 12:10,11 Ac…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever.Ver. 1. O give thanks, &c.] See Psalms 106:1.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1-4) Comp. Psalms 115:9-13, where a similar choral arrangement is found.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 118 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

PSALM CXVIII A general exhortation to praise God for his mercy, 1-4. The psalmist, by his own experience, encourages the people to trust in God, and shows them the advantage of it, 5-9; then describes his enemies, and shows how God enabled him to destroy them, 10-13. The people rejoice on the account, 15, 16. He speaks again of the help he received from the Lord; and desires admission into the temple, that he may enter and praise the Lord, 17-19. The gate is opened, 20. He offers praise, 21. The priests, c., acknowledge the hand of the Lord in the deliverance wrought, 22-24. The psalmist prays for prosperity, 25. The priest performs his office, blesses the people, and all join in praise…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 118 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1–4. An introductory call to all Israel to join in praising Jehovah for His unfailing goodness.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

O give thanks unto the Lord ... - Let others unite with me in giving thanks to the Lord; let them see, from what has occurred in my case, what occasion there is for praise.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 118 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

RVARevised Version, American1894

O GIVE thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Praise yee the Lord, because he is good: for his mercie endureth for euer.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Give ye thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Give ye thanks to Jehovah, For good, for to the age [is] His kindness.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Give thanks to YHWH, || For [He is] good, for His kindness [is] for all time.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; because unto eternity endureth his kindness.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Thank the Lord, for he is good! His trustworthy love lasts forever.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

O give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy is unchanging for ever.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseclauseverbהוֹד֣וּgive.thanksprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַtoיהוָ֣הYahwehclauseכִּי(dm)clausepredicateט֑וֹב[he.is].goodclauseכִּ֖י(dm)clauseprepositional phrase · predicateלְ[is]עוֹלָ֣םforevernoun phrase · subjectחַסְדּֽloyaltyוֹhis.covenant

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of the verse, with all seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial confirmations, with some words supplied by editors, indicating minor textual variations but no significant differences in meaning.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

הוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה כִּי־ ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
הוֹד֣וּἐχομολογεῖσθεלַיהוָ֣הκυρίῳכִּי־ὅτιט֑וֹבἀγαθόςכִּ֖יὅτιלְעוֹלָ֣םαἰῶναחַסְדּֽוֹ׃αὐτοῦ

7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q84a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[הודו] [ליהוה] כי טוב כי לעולם חסד׳ו

5 words on the leather — 2 supplied entire by an editor.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

הודו ליהוה כי טוב כי לעולם חסד׳ו

7 words on the leather.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q6a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[הודו] [ליהוה] [כי] [טוב] [כי] [לעולם] חסד׳ו

1 word on the leather — 6 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 118:1יָדָהgive thanksgive thanksיָדָהיהוהto Yahwehto Yahwehיהוהכִּיforforכִּיטוֹב[he is] goo[he is] goodטוֹבכִּיforforכִּיעוֹלָם[is] for ev[is] for everעוֹלָםחֶ֫סֶדcovenant locovenant loyaltחֶ֫סֶדיָדhandhandיָדהָיָהto beto beהָיָהעָלַםto concealto concealעָלַםחָסַדbe kindbe kindחָסַדיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעהָלַלto shineto shineהָלַלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַלנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהעַ֫יִןeyeeyeעַ֫יִןעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדדּוֹרgenerationgenerationדּוֹראֱמֶתtruth: faitruth: faithfulאֱמֶתרֶ֫חֶםwombwombרֶ֫חֶם
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 118:1

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
הוֹד֣וּho.Du give thanks H3034 Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
114× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To give thanks or praise, originally meaning to throw or cast, like shooting an arrow. In the Bible, it's used to describe worship or confession with extended hands. It appears in Psalms and other books, like 1 Chronicles.
Amplified meaning
praise, acknowledge
Tyndale gloss
to give thanks
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָדָה (yadah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast, particularly in the context of shooting arrows or stones. It also encompasses the meanings of giving thanks, praising, and confessing, especially in a ritual context. The word is built from a primitive root and has various forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָדָה] vb. throw, cast

Qal shoot (arrows) at

Pi. and they cast (stones) on me

Hiph.

give thanks, laud, praise

confess

Hithp.

confess

give thanks, in ritual worship

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3034 [יָדָה] throw, cast .shoot (arrows) at

. and they cast (stones) on me

. . give thanks, laud, praise

. confess

. . confess

. give thanks, in ritual worship

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3034 yadah yaw-daw'

a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027;

literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to

throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or

worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by

wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion),

praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).

see HEBREW for 03027

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָדָה (ya.dah) — to give thanks.

1) to throw, shoot, cast

1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)

1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise

1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to confess (sin)

1d2) to give thanks

Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine plural
HVhv2mp
give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
לַיהוָ֣הla.Yah.weh to Yahweh H3068 Preposition · noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the covenant God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
כִּי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
ט֑וֹבTov [he is] good H2895 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
45× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means to be good or pleasing, often used to describe God's actions or human behavior. It appears in Genesis 1, where God sees that creation is good, and in Psalm 100, where the psalmist says that God is good and his love endures forever.
Tyndale gloss
be pleasing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word טוֹב (tov) is a primitive root meaning to be good or pleasing in various senses, including being delightful, joyful, and beneficial. It covers a range of meanings from personal well-being to moral actions, as seen in its uses in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב vb. pleasing, good

Qal

be pleasant, delightful

be glad, joyful

of rank, position, claim: art thou really better than Balak?

be well with, good for

be pleasing

Hiph. do well, act right

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2895 טוֹב pleasing, good .. be pleasant, delightful

. be glad, joyful

. of rank, position, claim: art thou really better than Balak?

. be well with, good for

. be pleasing

. do well, act right

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2895 towb tobe

a primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make) good (or

well) in the widest sense:--be (do) better, cheer, be (do,

seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — be pleasing.

1) to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be pleasant, be delightful

1a2) to be glad, be joyful

1a3) to be better

1a4) to be well with, be good for

1a5) to be pleasing

1b) (Hiphil) to do well, do good, act right, act rightly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqp3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVqp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
כִּ֖יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
לְעוֹלָ֣םle.'o.Lam [is] for ever H5769 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
438× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Amplified meaning
lasts, remains, always, eternally
Tyndale gloss
forever: antiquity
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5769 `owlam o-lawm'

or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the

vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),

i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),

ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,

(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)

old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world

(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.

see HEBREW for 05956

see HEBREW for 05331

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.

: enduring/eternal

1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

1a) ancient time, long time (of past)

1b) (of future)

1b1) for ever, always

1b2) continuous existence, perpetual

1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.

This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.

: any_time

1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

1a) ancient time, long time (of past)

1b) (of future)

1b1) for ever, always

1b2) continuous existence, perpetual

1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.

: old/ancient

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
give thanks to Yahweh for [he is] good for [is] for ever covenant loyalty his
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃chas.Do covenant loyalty his H2617 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
247× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Amplified meaning
kindness, mercy
Tyndale gloss
kindness
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness

of man:

kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits

kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy

(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety

lovely appearance

of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.

base

חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits

. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy

. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety

. lovely appearance

. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.

H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2617 checed kheh'-sed

from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:

rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,

good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful

(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.

see HEBREW for 02616

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.

goodness, kindness, faithfulness

חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.

a reproach, shame

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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