The Psalms have long been one book in the bible that I continually return to when I need hope. Since I was in my mid-twenties, I’ve had a spiritual practice of reading a Psalm each day during my bible reading. One of my mentors taught me how to borrow the words from the Psalmist to pray when I can’t seem to find my own. Or, how to read aloud praises to God when I need to shift my focus from my difficult life circumstances to His unchanging character. If you flip open my bible to Psalms, you’ll find prayers underlined in red and praises underlined in blue. In between all of that color are the honest expressions from the Psalmist of bitterness, anger, weariness, doubt, frustration, joy, contentment, desperation, sadness, and more. The full gamut of human emotions is on display in the Psalms. And yet, there is always a return to God and His character. The constant reminder that God has not left us alone, His heart is turned toward us and His faithfulness has no end.
It was no surprise that as Jon and Jordanne began teaching our community about Hesed love this summer that God would get my attention in the Psalms. I would read “steadfast love”, look up the Hebrew word and sure enough, it was “Hesed.” We learned that “Hesed” is found 250 times in the Old Testament but did you know that over half of those are found in the book of Psalms? 129 times to be exact. Strewn throughout these poetic songs that repeat melodies of heartache, brokenness, and despair from the Psalmist are also the reminders that only One is faithful to show us hesed love, our God.
Sometimes I think I have spiritual amnesia when it comes to remembering the love of God. Even when I don’t intend to, I can get caught up in a cycle of performing for God instead of receiving His love for me. Did you see me, God? I loved and served my friends and family so well this week! I made dinner every night and we shared gratitude as we sat around the dinner table. I prayed over our daughters each night before bed. I went to work and cared for all of my little patients without grumbling. I helped out my co-workers when they were stuck. I reached out to friends who are hurting. Can you see how much I deserve your love?
I return to the Psalms to remind myself that His hesed love existed before me and will exist after me.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love (hesed) endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 ESV
The truth that God’s hesed love endures forever is written over thirty-five times in the Psalms! It’s not about me or what I do. It’s about Him and who He is. God is love and that love endures forever, no matter what kind of performance I’m putting on. He could never love me anymore and He could never love me any less. I need to hear that. Maybe you do too?
I need to talk about God’s hesed love for me. I have to find ways to get it deep into my heart where I can believe it. For me, that's singing about it. I have no shame in turning up my worship Spotify playlist while running errands, shuttling kids to school, or on my way to and from work. Or asking Alexa to play Maverick City Music while I’m preparing meals in the kitchen.
But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love (hesed) in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O, my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
For you, O God, are my fortress,
The God who shows me steadfast love (hesed). Psalm 59:16-17 ESV
A beautiful thing happens in our brain when we integrate lyrics and melody. We remember. I mean, I can still sing almost every Whitney Houston song released in the ’80s because I sang them every day as a kid! Why not create a new soundtrack playing in your head that reminds you of the hesed love of God? A current favorite of mine is Lean Back by Capitol City Music. These lyrics tell me that there are other loves, but HIS love is better!
I will lean back in the loving arms
Of a beautiful Father
Breathe deep and know that He is good
He’s a love like no other
Now I can see Your love is better
Than all the others that I’ve seen
I am breathing deep all of Your goodness
Your loving-kindness to me
You might be in a hard place right now. Maybe the hesed love of God feels distant or even absent to you. Maybe this past year you’ve endured losing someone you love or broken relationships or financial stressors or sickness. Or you believe that somehow God couldn’t love you because _________ (you fill in the blank.) His love is available to you whatever your current chapter in life is. David declared and received God’s love for him even after he had spent the night with Bathsheba. He opens Psalm 51 with a plea for mercy according to God’s steadfast love (hesed).
Listen to David’s cry of thankfulness for the hesed love of God right in the middle of depression:
I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love (hesed),
Because you have seen my affliction;
And you have known the distress of my soul. Psalm 31:7 ESV
There’s no need to hide from God in your troubles (distress). He is the God who sees you, all of you, and His hesed love is impossible to get away from.
Whether you are like me, in need of frequent reminders of God’s love, or you are struggling to receive God’s love, we can borrow the words of the Psalmist and pray (from Psalm 119):
Let your steadfast love (hesed) come to me, O Lord.
Let your steadfast love (hesed) comfort me.
In your steadfast love (hesed), give me life.
Hear my voice, according to your steadfast love (hesed)