Give Thanks (Hodu)

Joshua Aaron sings the chorus of “Give Thanks (Hodu)” in Hebrew first, “Hodu L'Adonai Ki tov / Ki L'olam Chasdo,” and then in English: give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his love endures. Before it arrives, a verse stacks four titles in a row: “the light unto the nations,” “our refuge in the storm,” “our peace in tribulation,” “our hope, the Holy One.”

The second verse moves from description to response, bowing “in adoration” and giving thanks “for all He's done,” and it names redemption directly: “We are redeemed, redeemed by the Son.” The bridge opens the door wide, calling the hungry, the thirsty and the broken to “come from the east and the west” and “drink from the Fountain of rest.” A short tag, “Oh, He is good / Oh, His Love endures / Forever,” closes the loop.

The Hebrew line comes straight from Psalm 136:1. “East and west” recalls Matthew 8:11, where many come from both directions to share the kingdom feast, and the thirsty invitation parallels Isaiah 55:1, “Come, all you who are thirsty.”