The Mercy of The Lord is Everlasting

Commentary

This Psalm has often been referred to as David’s Hallelujah Chorus. It is a composition of praise by the psalmist to the God of Israel whom he loved so dearly. God wants every part of us (body, soul, and spirit) to enter a joyful relationship with Him. He seeks worshipers who will gladly give everything they are to Him. David calls upon all his faculties to bless the holy name of God. He lists his blessings from God (vv. 3-5), and then turns his attention completely to praising God for His divine character (vv. 6-10). He says that “the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not chide; neither will he keep his anger forever.” God bears no grudges and harbors no resentments. He does not punish us as we deserve. 
David contrasts the fleeting character of man’s life with the everlasting character of God’s mercy (vv. 15-17). God does not change; His mercy is without beginning or end. While man’s life is transitory, it is established by the Lord’s covenant (v. 18). The eternality of the Lord should be a great comfort to frail human beings. Our hope is not in other fragile creatures, but in the eternal God (v. 19) who arranges every circumstance of our lives to work out for our good. We cannot know God’s mercy until we know it in His son, Jesus Christ. Praising God means remembering Him in all He has done for us (v. 2), fearing Him, obeying His commands (vv. l7, l8), and doing His will (v. 2l). David closes the same way he began, by exhorting himself to praise the Lord.

Application

In my Christian life I need to be praising the Lord by remembering all He has done for me, fearing (reverencing) Him, obeying His commands, and doing His will.