Psalms 118:1-4

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever.

The perpetuity of Divine mercy

This is a subject for--

I. Joyous gratitude. “O give thanks,” etc. Why should the perpetuity of Divine mercy inspire such fervent gratitude?

1. Because all men that now live require mercy. All men are so guilty and depraved as to render them more or less unhappy here, and miserable hereafter. Mercy creates men anew in Christ Jesus in good works.

2. Because all men that will hereafter live require mercy. Thank God, then, that mercy is to run on to the crash of doom.

II. The celebration of all men. The perpetuity of mercy is a subject in which men of all characters, of all lands, of all times may triumphantly rejoice. Here we can all meet, both the rich and the poor. (Homilist.)

Boundless mercy

O this mercy of God! I am told it is an ocean. Then I place on it four swift-sailing craft, with compass, and charts, and choice rigging, and skilful navigators, and I tell them to launch away, and discover for me the extent of this ocean. That craft puts out in one direction, and sails to the north; this to the south; this to the east; this to the west. They crowd on all their canvas, and sail ten thousand years, and one day come up the harbour of heaven; and I shout to them from the beach, “Have you found the shore?” and they answer: “No shore to God’s mercy.” Swift angels, despatched from the throne, attempt to go across it. For a million years they fly and fly; but then come back and fold their wings at the foot of the throne, and cry: “No shore; no shore to God’s mercy!” (T. De Witt Talmage.)