The theme of Psalm 136 is quickly understood: Give thanks to Yahweh because his steadfast love endures forever. Four times the call goes out to give thanks (1-3, 26), and 26 times the reason to do so is repeated. Why the repetition? The ESV Devotional Psalter gives one answer: “Because everything in us is hardwired to believe that his love could come to an end at any time. That it is not steadfast but faltering. That he is like us.” (OUCH!) Who should I give thanks to? Yahweh (1), “the God of gods” (2), “the Lord of lords” (3), “to him who alone does great wonders” (4), and “the God of heaven” (26). (Note: The title “Lord of lords” quotes Deuteronomy 10:17 and is further testimony to the deity of Jesus Christ as seen in Revelation 17:14 & 19:16.) Yahweh’s “great wonders” are set forth in his work of creation (5-9), the deliverance of Israel from Egypt into the wilderness (10-16), and Israel’s protection and preservation from her enemies & the gift of the land as her heritage (17-22).
As I reflect upon creation, especially the celestial heavens, I see the evidence of God’s love to all mankind to provide “great lights,” the sun to shine and give us warmth and light, and the moon & stars to reflect the sun and bedazzle & guide stargazers at night. When I read about Israel’s exodus from Egypt and the extent God went to to rescue & deliver her from bondage, I think of Christ’s “exodus” or death (Luke 9:30-31) and the extent God went to to deliver sinners from our bondage. When I read how God protected Israel from her enemies, I know God protects me, too, from mine – seen and unseen. Truly Israel’s history is my history. Had God not preserved his people throughout time, then the Savior of the world could not have come from Israel to the world, and I would not be writing this today.
God has surely remembered me in my low estate (23) and rescued me from my foes (24), and he gives food and much, much more to me every day (25). So it’s very fitting for me, as I begin the day, to “give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever” (26).
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