“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 118:1

Dr Jito Vanualailai

This expression of heart-felt thanks is taken from Psalm 118:1.

HebrewEnglishValue of Hebrew Word
הוֹד֣וּ
hō-w-ḏū		Oh give thanks21
לַיהוָ֣ה
Yah-weh		to Yahweh56
כִּי־
kî-		for30
ט֑וֹב
ṭō-wḇ;		[He is] good17
כִּ֖י
kî		for30
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
lə-‘ō-w-lām		ever176
חַסְדּֽוֹ׃
ḥas-dōw.		His mercy [endures]78

The equivalent numerical value of the verse is the sum 408. The 408th composite number is 505 The divisors of 505 are in the set {1, 5, 101, 505}. The sum of the divisors is 612. Hence, the arithmetic mean of the divisors is 153.

Conclusion. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we give thanks to Yahweh and thus acknowledge that He is good and His mercy endures forever.

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Published by Dr Jito Vanualailai

Dr Jito Vanualailai obtained his PhD in Applied Mathematics (Systems and Control Theory) from Kobe University, Japan, in 1994. He is currently Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.

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