THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION

Psalms: God's Nurture Of The Inner Man In The Life Of Faith

CXXXVI: Praising God For His Everlasting Grace

(Psalm 136:1-26)

I. Introduction

A. God is not only a gracious God, but His grace is everlasting, and the combination of those two characteristics about our Lord make for great blessings for His people.

B. Psalm 136:1-26 dwells on the application of these two characteristics in a great psalm of praise, and we view this composition for our insight and edifying application (as follows):

II. Praising God For His Everlasting Grace, Psalm 136:1-26.

A. The numbering system of the psalm in the Hebrew text matches that of the English Bible (Kittel, Biblia Hebraica, p. 1093), so we stay with the English Bible's numbering system for this lesson.

B. We then translate Psalm 136:1-26 (as follows):

1. "Give thanks to Jahweh because He is good, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:1.

2. "Give thanks to the Elohim [God] of elohim [gods], for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:2.

3. "Give thanks to the Adonai [Master] of masters, for His loyal love endures forever." (Psalm 136:3)

4. "To Him Who alone performs great wonders, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:4.

5. "Who by His understanding made the heavens, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:5.

6. "Who spread out the earth upon the waters, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:6.

7. "Who made the great lights, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:7.

8. "The sun to govern the day, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:8.

9. "The moon and stars to govern the night, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:9.

10. "To Him Who struck down the firstborn in Egypt, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:10.

11. "And brought Israel out from among them, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:11.

12. "With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:12.

13. "To Him Who divided the Red Sea asunder, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:13.

14. "And brought Israel through the midst of it, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:14.

15. "But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:15.

16. "To Him Who led His people through the desert, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:16.

17. "Who struck down great kings, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:17.

18. "And killed mighty kings, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:18.

19. "Sihon king of the Amorites, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:19.

20. "And Og king of Bashan, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:20.

21. "And gave their land as an inheritance, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:21.

22. "An inheritance to His servant, Israel, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:22.

23. "To the One Who remembered us in our low estate, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm136:23.

24. "And freed us from our enemies, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:24.

25. "And Who gives food to every creature, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:25.

26. "Give thanks to the Elohim of heaven, for His loyal love endures forever," Psalm 136:26.

C. We note significant observations regarding this psalm (as follows):

1. This was an antiphonal psalm: each verse was sung by one party and its recurring refrain, "for His loyal love endures forever," was sung by a different party; Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 889.

2. Thus, the numerous repetitions of the refrain emphasize the timelessness of God's grace in history, encouraging believers currently facing trials of God's help for their present needs!

3. The great variety of God's past helps encourages believers to look to God for unusually different trials.

4. Thus, the everlasting nature of God's grace to us as His people should always elicit our praise, v. 1-3, 26.

Lesson: The psalmist called on believers to praise Him for His everlasting grace to them, and he gives many reasons for his call, citing case after case in history of the benefits of God's loyal love in behalf of His people.

Application: (1) May we recall the many times God has shown His loyal love, His grace to us believers in Christ, as reasons to praise Him. (2) If we now face a great trial of deep concern, one that may be unusual, may we draw hope in God's help from His past record of great and varied expressions of loyal love that He will deliver us now!