I Love You

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” — Psalm 18:1

There’s a trembling vulnerability in saying “I love you” for the first time. Even when affection has grown quietly over time, voicing it aloud can feel like stepping off a cliff—what if the feeling isn’t mutual? That hesitation, that fear of rejection, is deeply human. And yet, when David opens Psalm 18 with “I love You,” he speaks with boldness, not uncertainty. Why?

The Hebrew word David uses here—אֶרְחָמְךָ֖ (’erḥāməḵā)—comes from the rare and tender root racham (רָחַם), meaning “to love deeply” or “to show compassion.” It’s a striking choice. While the more common word for love in scripture is ahav (אָהַב)—used in verses like the Shema, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…”—racham evokes something more maternal, visceral, and mercy-filled. It often describes God’s love for us, not ours for Him.

What makes Psalm 18:1 especially unique is that scholars believe this is the only instance in which a human expresses love for God using this specific verb form. David’s not merely stating devotion—he’s baring his soul. His declaration isn’t just theological—it’s deeply emotional. He doesn’t just admire or obey God—he cherishes Him. And in using a word often reserved for divine compassion, he reflects that our love for God can mirror the intensity of His love for us.

David’s language not only illuminates the text, but it opens a pathway for our own expressions of love toward God. When we begin our prayers with “I love You,” we’re not risking rejection—we’re stepping into a love that has already been poured out. God’s love for us is unconditional and unwavering. It is fierce, maternal, and eternal. We don’t have to wonder if He feels the same way. He loved us first, and He loves us still (John 3:16, 1 John 4:19).

Imagine how your prayer life might change if these were your first words to God—beginning not with requests or confessions, but with affection. Simply saying “I love You” to God, not because you’ve earned His favor, but because you’ve received it. Then reflecting on the reasons you love Him: His mercy, His strength, His presence in your darkest moments. Like David, let your love be rooted in remembrance.

Loving God, today I begin with these words: I love You. Not because I am fearless, but because Your love casts out fear. You are my strength, my refuge, my deliverer. Thank You for loving me first, with a love deeper than I can understand. Help me to respond with tenderness, trust, and gratitude. Let my prayers begin and end in love. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim

Bentorah, C. (2022, February 10). Hebrew Word Study – Infinite Love – Racham – רחם. Chaim Bentorah. Retrieved from: www.chaimbentorah.com/2022/02/hebrew-word-study-infinite-love-racham-רחם