The Lord is Good

 

The Lord is Good

Psalm 34:8

The phrase "the Lord is good" refers to the belief in God's inherent kindness, generosity, and benevolence towards people and all of creation. 

This expression "The Lord is good" appears often emphasizing God's goodness, mercy, and faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in Him and praise His name. The point is that God's actions and character are fundamentally good, just, and merciful. 

• Psalm 34:8: "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him".  Encourages our personal experience and faith in God's goodness, promising blessings to us as we trust in Him. 
• Psalm 100:5: "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations". Highlights the enduring nature of God's goodness and mercy, extending throughout all generations. We can unflinchingly count on the Lord to constantly and repeatedly deal with us in mercy and truth according to our reoccurring needs.
• Psalm 145:9: "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works". Emphasizes God's universal goodness and the encompassing nature of His tender mercies. Again, we are invited to behave favorably toward God knowing He is good, affectionate, and compassionate in character.

Consider the thoughts of Dr. Ross, “David then wrote of the marvelous nature of God, affirming that He is gracious and compassionate (cf. 111:4), slow to anger, and full of loyal love (the identical statement, in Heb., is given in Ex. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Pss. 86:15; 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). Because God is good and compassionate to all, all His works and His saints praise Him.”^[1]

• Nahum 1:7: "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him". Places interest on God's protective nature and His awareness of us as we trust in Him. 

Such a truth is clearly brought out in the following quote: “Though the Lord is wrathful and powerful against those who oppose Him, He is good (cf. Ex. 34:6; Pss. 106:1; 107:1; 136:1; Jer. 33:11) to those who trust in Him. He is good in the sense that He is faithful and merciful, protecting (a refuge in times of trouble), helpful, and caring. The Hebrew word for “refuge” is mā‘ôz. Translated “stronghold” in Psalms 27:1; 37:39; 43:2; 52:7, it means a strong, fortified place. The people of Nineveh thought they were safe in their fortifications, but their security was short-lived compared with the comfort and safety God provides for His people.”^[2]

Is this idea still relevant today? These considerations continue to be relevant for us currently, encouraging us to seek God and experience His goodness firsthand. This emphasis on God’s goodness and kindness is very healthy. It's a reminder that God is not distant, but a present and active force in the lives of those of us who trust in Him. This truth encourages and supports our relationship with Him, fellowship, and our prayers towards Him.

It is important to remember that God’s characteristic of goodness is balanced by His severity. He should not be perceived as ‘good’ from a mere human perspective, but to remember that God is ‘good’ according to His standpoint. This includes a ‘goodness’ that accounts for his severity, justice, righteousness, and chastening. Frankly, God can only be ‘good’ if He is severe also. Yes, God has a strict capacity as well…He is also stern, demanding, and firm to go alone with His goodness, mercy, generosity, and kindness. We must not imagine God or emphasize this quality separated of the other realities as only merciful, kind, or giving. No, we must also notice Him as severe and strict regarding sin, disobedience, and rebellion. If we ever wonder, God is tremendously balanced in His character.

The notion of the severity, strictness, and judgment of God can be seen clearly from the following verses:

Romans 11:22, Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Exodus 34:6-7, And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, ⁷ Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Matthew 7:23, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

We must always cherish both aspects of God’s character because they belong together in the Word of God…. His goodness and severity go together. It is only when we truly appreciate His goodness that we adequately consider His severity and vice versa.

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^[1] Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 896.

^[2] Elliott E. Johnson, “Nahum,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1498.