Psalm 136--His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136
English Standard Version

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
136 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him 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 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    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 to him 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 host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty 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 Israel his servant,
    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 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

​26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

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While the refrain is familiar, the verses are different.  Remember this psalm is part of the final book of Psalms which focuses on the hope that the people have of returning from Exile.  First, they recall how the LORD proved Himself to be superior to all the gods of the pagan peoples.  Of foremost mention is that He is the Creator who spoke everything into existence out of nothing.  At this point in history, no one has seen a greater miracle than this (resurrections are coming and it has been hinted that Abraham believed that God was capable of doing such a thing, but not until the days of Elijah and Elisha do we see any resurrections take place).

Next, as we move from the book of Genesis to the book of Exodus, the LORD is the one who freed His people from slavery in Egypt by using plagues and "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm," He led them out of Egypt.  He led them across the Red Sea on dry ground and led them through the wilderness with the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire.  His very Presence with them and led them wherever they should go.

The LORD was also a mighty warrior who went ahead of His people to do battle for them.  He destroyed the nations and peoples that made war with the LORD and with His people Israel.  The LORD judged these nations and found them worthy of judgment in this life and in the life to come.  Their judgment in this life was to serve as a warning to all other nations and people groups of the coming judgment that would be inflicted on any other nations that patterned themselves after these wicked people.  The LORD had even "warned" the wicked Canaanites of the judgment that was coming through the ministry of Lot as a prophet and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and all of the other cities (other than Zoar) that were in that fertile plain in the Jordan River Valley).

Now the psalmist turns to Israel in their present state, once again in Exile and hoping for the LORD to once again save His people and lead them home to the Promised Land.  However, He has been with them, even as they were away from Jerusalem and the Temple while they were in Exile.  He has not deserted them and has had pity on them and heard their cries for deliverance (just like He did in Egypt).  He has continued to take care of all their physical needs, and the LORD is good to all the peoples of all the earth giving common grace to all of them (rain, food, etc).  While there is a special blessing for Israel in the Land, the LORD still desires for all the peoples of the world to know Him and worship Him for who He is and what He has done.

Therefore, we all give thanks to the LORD for He is good and His steadfast, covenant love endures forever.  Without such love we have no hope of salvation!