This verse isn't just about remembering God's past kindness; it's a deliberate choice to recount it, even in the midst of suffering. The repeated emphasis on "lovingkindness" and "mercies" highlights how God’s abundant grace is the ultimate argument and source of hope for His people, even when they can't see it.
I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks the beginning of a prayer from the perspective of God's people, likely during a time of exile and distress. They're looking back to God's past faithfulness and immense goodness shown to Israel throughout their history, setting the stage for confession and a desperate plea for His renewed mercy. This remembrance of God's steadfast love serves as the foundation for their appeal in the midst of their suffering and perceived abandonment.
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? This verse calls us to pause and remember. What happens when we intentionally recall God's goodness?
The people of Israel, facing immense hardship and dispersion, begin their prayer not with a list of complaints, but with a declaration: 'I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD.' This isn't just a casual mention; the Hebrew word used here implies a deliberate act of remembering, of bringing to mind. It's a powerful reminder that even in our darkest hours, our first response can be to acknowledge God's enduring faithfulness.
Why is this so important?
The Bible doesn't just say God is good; it emphasizes the of His goodness. What does this abundance tell us about His heart?
Ask a follow-up
Isaiah 63:7 uses strong, repetitive language to underscore the immense nature of God's kindness. We see phrases like 'the abundance of his steadfast love' and 'great goodness.' The original language emphasizes not just a large quantity, but an overflowing, inexhaustible supply. It's like trying to count every star in the sky or every grain of sand on the beach – the sheer magnitude is beyond full comprehension.
What this tells us about God:
This is the kind of God we worship – one whose love is not just sufficient, but overwhelmingly abundant, pouring out goodness beyond measure.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term denoting God's loyal, covenant-keeping love, mercy, and faithfulness that transcends mere duty. It is the defining characteristic of God's relationship with His people.
rachamim · Hebrew Noun
Tender, internal feelings of sympathy, pity, or mercy, often compared to the womb's capacity to nurture; it characterizes God's deep emotional connection to His people.
This passage arises from the deep sorrow and reflection of the Babylonian exile, where the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (586 BC) prompted a profound reevaluation of God's faithfulness amidst national catastrophe. The prayer begins by recalling God's past 'steadfast love' and 'great goodness,' using the memory of ancient deliverances to plead for present restoration and hope.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event would have highlighted God's past deliverances and the nation's precarious situation.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and many of Judah's elite to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This catastrophe deeply impacted Jewish identity and theology.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, leading to the Edict of Cyrus which allowed exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, signifying a return of worship and national identity after the exile, though it lacked the glory of the first Temple.
This psalm echoes Isaiah's sentiment, recounting how Israel's ancestors failed to grasp God's overwhelming might and love at the Red Sea, showing a pattern of God's faithfulness despite human forgetfulness.
Psalm 77:11The psalmist here resolves to 'call to remembrance the deeds of the LORD' and ponder His wondrous works, directly mirroring Isaiah's intention to recount God's steadfast love and goodness.
Lamentations 3:22This verse speaks of God's compassion being renewed 'every morning' and His faithfulness being 'great,' providing a theological foundation for why Isaiah would focus on God's abundant, unfailing goodness even in times of distress.
Nehemiah 9:17In a prayer of confession and remembrance, Nehemiah recounts God's past acts of redemption and provision for Israel, similar to Isaiah's focus on God's 'great goodness' and 'steadfast love' shown to the house of Israel.
barnesIsaiah 63:7: "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses."
I will mention - This is evidently the language of the people celebrating the praises of God in view of all his mercies in former days. See the analysis to the chapter. The design of what fo…
clarkeIsaiah 63:7: "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses."
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord - The prophet connects the preceding mercies of God to the Jews with the present prospect he has of their redemption by the Messiah; thus mak…
This verse isn't just about remembering God's past kindness; it's a deliberate choice to recount it, even in the midst of suffering. The repeated emphasis on "lovingkindness" and "mercies" highlights how God’s abundant grace is the ultimate argument and source of hope for His people, even when they can't see it.
This verse marks the beginning of a prayer from the perspective of God's people, likely during a time of exile and distress. They're looking back to God's past faithfulness and immense goodness shown to Israel throughout their history, setting the stage for confession and a desperate plea for His renewed mercy. This remembrance of God's steadfast love serves as the foundation for their appeal in the midst of their suffering and perceived abandonment.
This verse marks the beginning of a prayer from the perspective of God's people, likely during a time of exile and distress. They're looking back to God's past faithfulness and immense goodness shown to Israel throughout their history, setting the stage for confession and a desperate plea for His renewed mercy. This remembrance of God's steadfast love serves as the foundation for their appeal in the midst of their suffering and perceived abandonment.
"I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassi…" — This verse isn't just about remembering God's past kindness; it's a deliberate choice to recount it, even in the midst of suffering. The repeated emphasis on "lovingkindness" and "mercies" highlights…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
