What does "the LORD has been good" reveal about God's character? Setting the Scene “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7) Observations from the Phrase • “The LORD” – the covenant name Yahweh, stressing His unchanging faithfulness • “has been” – past-tense, real-life evidence; His goodness is not hypothetical • “good” – Hebrew ṭôb: beneficial, pleasant, morally excellent, bountiful • “to you” – personal, relational goodness; not abstract or impersonal What God’s Goodness Reveals About His Character • Consistent Benefactor – He always acts for the true welfare of His people (Psalm 23:6; James 1:17). • Faithful Covenant Keeper – His goodness is rooted in promises He will never break (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Compassionate Father – He tenderly notices individual needs (“to you”); see Psalm 103:13-14. • Deliverer in Trouble – Psalm 116 recounts rescue from death; His goodness shows up when we are helpless (vv. 3-8). • Source of Soul-Rest – Because He is good, the psalmist tells his soul to “return to your rest.” Only a reliably good God can quiet an anxious heart (Matthew 11:28-29). How His Goodness Manifests • Physical preservation (Psalm 116:8) • Forgiveness of sin (Psalm 103:2-5) • Daily provision (Psalm 145:15-16) • Guidance in righteousness (Psalm 25:8-10) • Eternal redemption (Ephesians 1:7-8) Implications for Everyday Life • Cultivate gratitude: rehearse specific ways He “has been good” in your story. • Find rest: preach Psalm 116:7 to your own soul when fear rises. • Live confidently: goodness today guarantees hope for tomorrow (Psalm 27:13-14). • Reflect His character: show tangible goodness to others (Galatians 6:10). Additional Scriptures Echoing the Truth • Psalm 13:6 — “I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.” • Psalm 34:8 — “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” • Nahum 1:7 — “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble; He cares for those who trust in Him.” • Romans 2:4 — “Do you despise the riches of His kindness…? God’s kindness leads you to repentance.” God’s past goodness is a reliable preview of His ongoing and future goodness—reason enough for every soul to rest in Him today. |
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