Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His loyal love endures. Psalm 136:1

Today’s passage of Scripture is not new to me. Morning after morning my prayer journal entry begins with: “Father, You are good …”. The words that follow are never the same, sometimes they flow from a thought prompted by a song, or a particular praise, or an attribute of God, and sometimes from another verse or passage of Scripture. Often, that Scripture has been Psalm 136:1, though typically I write it from the NIV version which says: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, For His love endures forever”. I have recently started reading from the NET translation which exchanges “His love endures forever” with “His loyal love endures.” The word ‘loyal’ struck me as a very strong word – a word bearing the same weight as forever – yet some how with a deeper, richer implication.

Check out this list of synonyms associated with the word loyal: faithful, true, tried and true, devoted, constant, steadfast, dependable, reliable, trusted, trustworthy, unchanging, unwavering, unswerving, dedicated, committed, firm, stable, steady, and unfailing. Yes, and amen! That is my God! I can trust Him because throughout my lifetime He has been tried and true, proven reliable and trustworthy. I have learned repeatedly, through experience, the truth of the statement – “when you can’t see His hand trust His heart”. I can testify to the truth that He is unfailing and dependable and committed to the relationship we have as Father and daughter. When I disappoint Him His love is stable and unswerving, He does not turn away from me but with unwavering devotion He pursues me. Suddenly, I have a fresh understanding and appreciation for this verse and I am moved with the Psalmist to give thanks to the God of gods, my God, whose loyal love endures.