Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. [Psalm 136:1-3 (NLT)]
Like many of the psalms, Psalm 136 opens with words of thanksgiving. Beginning with creation, this beautiful psalm reviews God’s goodness in regard to his people and encourages them to praise Him for his merciful and steadfast love. Where it differs from the other psalms of thanksgiving is that every line is followed by a refrain of “His faithful love endures forever.” From those first three verses, it continues giving thanks “to him who alone does mighty miracles. … who made the heavens so skillfully. … who placed the earth among the waters. … who made the heavenly lights … the sun to rule the day… and the moon and stars to rule the night,” with its refrain following each verse. The next 13 verses recount Israel’s’ history…bringing them out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea, leading his people through the wilderness, defeating Pharaoh’s army, striking down powerful kings, and giving the land to Israel. Psalm 136 tells us that life is neither random nor meaningless; we are not here accidentally. Our lives are meticulously planned and intelligently designed.
The psalm’s author is unknown, but Scripture tells us that, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, David appointed the Levites to write a psalm of thanks because God’s “faithful love endures forever.” This psalm was also sung at the Temple’s dedication and at the three pilgrimage festivals. I picture the people gathered together in the Temple courts. While a priest or Levite sang a reason to thank God, the entire congregation answered with, “His faithful love endures forever!” Accompanied by trumpets and cymbals, it must have been an amazing sight to behold!
Although it never uses the Hebrew words “hallelu jah,” meaning “praise the Lord,” this psalm is called “the Great Hallel” (or Great Psalm of Praise) by our Jewish brothers and sisters. In traditional congregations, it is recited or chanted during the verses of praise on Shabbat/Sabbath morning services. Additionally, along with the “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113 through 118), it is sung at the conclusion of the Passover Seder.
God, however, didn’t stop being good to His people some 3,000 years ago. For the 21st century Christian, there’s no reason to stop praising God’s goodness at twenty-six verses. Think of all the lines we could add to this Psalm. Verses like, “He sent his one and only Son, to give His life as ransom for sinners. His faithful love endures forever. Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. His faithful love endures forever.” Consider how long the psalm would be!
When I read this psalm, however, I revisit the many ways God has personally shown me how “His faithful love endures forever.” I think of the people He’s placed in my path and the often fortuitous timing of their placement, the blessings of children and grands, the years He’s given me, the many ways He protected me from others and from myself, the healing of broken relationships, the restoration of health, His guidance, and His unending love, along with the many little blessings of life—things like sunshine, rainbows, chocolate, laughter, music, and butterflies! Indeed, “His faithful love endures forever.”
The refrain of “His faithful love endures forever” is repeated twenty-six times in this psalm. It could be repeated 2,600 times and that wouldn’t be enough. Regardless of what we give to the Lord in the way of time, talent, or tithes, He always gives us more. When life takes a downturn, as it often does, may we recall God’s past blessings and claim the promise that, “His faithful love endures forever.”
When written by Guy Gilchrist, “Nancy” used to appear in the comics of our local paper. The slightly chubby, somewhat mischievous, eight-year-old girl with the red skirt and hair bow often prayed. In one comic, Nancy starts with a litany of thanks to God for always being there, showing her the way, filling her heart, and giving her just what she needs before she even knows she wants it. “You are an amazing God!” she offers in praise before closing her prayer with, “Could you throw me a couple answers before my math test tomorrow?”
While creativity is encouraged in both cooking and prayer, there are certain procedures for both that should be followed to ensure good results. For example, before a cook even begins, his work surface, utensils, and hands should be clean. In prayer, instead of starting with clean bowls and spoons, we should start with a forgiving heart and wash off any resentment or anger.
“The Lord is my portion,” wrote the prophet Jeremiah. Throughout the Bible, a wide variety of metaphors are used to describe God— rock, refuge, shield, shepherd, fortress, potter, and light—but portion is one of my favorites. Portion refers to one’s share—be it of plunder, an inheritance, or food. Not being a soldier, I can’t relate to the spoils of war and I’ve seen way too many inheritances argued over or squandered to associate those meanings with God. Food, however, is something to which we all can relate.
That smiling bride in today’s photo is my mother. Taken at her wedding eighty-eight years ago, it’s one of the few photos I have of her. A quiet unassuming woman, I don’t think she thought of herself as pretty and she disliked having her picture taken. Nevertheless, even with her freckled face, unruly hair, overbite, thick glasses and hearing aid, my mother was the most beautiful woman I’ve known…and her smile could light up a room.
In Luke 7:36-50, we find a “sinful” woman anointing Jesus with her tears and perfumed oil. Taking place in Galilee early in Jesus’ ministry, this occurs at the home of Simon the Pharisee. During a banquet at the Pharisee’s home, a “sinful” woman carrying an alabaster jar entered. Remorseful for her sins, the uninvited guest fell at Jesus’ feet, washed them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and kissed His feet while anointing them with perfume from her jar.
