Psalm 136
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever.
4 who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.
5 who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to his servant, Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever;
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Last week in our look at Psalm 138 the phrase “steadfast love” was brought to our attention as a phrase that is often used to describe one of God’s central characteristics. This phrase is used 26 times in this passage as a refrain and primary descriptor of the character of God.
How would you describe the term “steadfast love”? If you are not sure, google the phrase or do a dictionary search on the word steadfast.
What have you experienced in your life that is unchanging?
I am reminded that there isn’t much in life that is unchanging. There are a few unchanging things but it seems that our culture places value on the ever changing nature of the world. Innovating, exploring, experiencing new things, and always looking for the next big thing, are phrases that describe the values we experience on a daily basis.
This psalm is a psalm of praise. Although this psalm recites pieces of Israel’s history, it is more than just a Psalm of remembrance for God’s people. This psalm is intended to reveal God’s character.
Read the Psalm again. Make a list of the characteristics of God that are revealed through this psalm.
Walter Bruggemann suggests that an historical psalm, such as this one, be viewed under the rubric of “abiding astonishment”. Historical Psalms focus less on the past and more on the present as they seek to evoke a response of obedience, petition, gratitude, and new political possibility from the reader.
This psalm is broken into several parts. Verses 1-4 proclaim God’s place as the one and only God of all. The rest of the psalm uses Israel’s story to proclaim that all situations throughout time,space, and people groups are pervaded by and dependent upon God’s steadfast love. Verses 5-9 speak of creation, verses 10-15 describe exodus events, verse 16-20 talk about the wilderness journey, and verses 21-22 speak of the possession of the land. Verses 23-26 then take us back to the character of God and his work in the here and now, even unto providing our next meal.
As we read Psalm 136, we see that in every situation God’s steadfast love is the basis of his response to us, his people. God’s attitude toward the world and God’s motivation for action are summarized by steadfast love. Steadfast love inevitably involves God’s grace; thus this psalm is a reminder that all things, great and small, are dependent upon the grace of God.
I encourage you to write your own version of Psalm 136, taking time to state your own life experiences and situations and following them with “and his steadfast love endures forever” as a reminder that no matter what you have faced, are facing, or will face, God’s steadfast love for you will never cease.