His Love Endures Forever
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Psalm 136
1. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
4. to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
5. to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
6. to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
7. to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
8. the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
9. the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
10. to him who smote the first-born of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
11. and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
12. with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
13. to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
14. and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
15. but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 16. to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
17. to him who smote great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
18. and slew famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
19. Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
20. and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
21. and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
22. a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
23. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
24. and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
25. he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
26. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
At first read, I thought why on earth would every other line say, “for his steadfast love endures for ever.”? Of course it is impossible to praise and honor God too much! But still! Then as I read the notes I found out that this was probably recited by a song leader and a chorus, or a song leader and the congregation, with the congregation repeating the chorus after each acclamation by the leader. I can almost envision a band of men, robes blowing in the desert wind, sun beating down on them, getting more and more animated as they recite the chorus that acknowledges God’s power and might!
This psalm does more than declare and affirm God’s steadfast and eternal love for man! It expresses his intention, from before time began to create a world, and a history for us to bring us to the present day. That’s an enduring love! He was thinking of us as he spoke the first word to bring light into the world. He was thinking of us when he created the Garden of Eden. And He has thought of us every minute of every day since! He is present and active in our world and in our lives.
I know there has long been an argument about creationism vs. evolution. But I contend that it doesn’t matter which is accurate—and besides, we’ll probably never know which is the case in our life time! God probably likes it that way—one of his divine truths we won’t know until we get to heaven! But I do believe Adam was the first living creature into which God placed a soul—which is what makes us “in his image and likeness.” And that is what is important. God loves us enough to be involved; to plan every aspect of our world; to breathe life into us and place us on a planet uniquely and perfectly planned and designed to sustain our physical beings.
That is an enduring love. And more! God is with us in the day-to-day, as well. He is with us as we go about our daily lives—even at work, even at the mall, even at the grocery store. Even at soccer or baseball practice or piano lessons. Even on the bus or in the middle of a traffic jam. He chooses to be intimately and perpetually involved with us. We only need, as this ancient congregation did, to acknowledge Him and recognize that He is with us. That He acts in our world, and even in our daily lives.
God’s two most significant, important and loving works—creation and redemption! His steadfast love does, indeed, endure for ever!
I hope you spend your day comforted and thankful that God’s steadfast love will get you through whatever you are facing in your life today—and will endure into eternity.
Mary
