December 11, 2009
what is forever?
Psalm 136
Jamie Weaver
Central Truth
The Lord deserves praise in everything.
Key Verse | Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his loyal love endures.
(Psalm 136:1)
Psalm 136
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
1
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
1
136:15
Hebrew shook off
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.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 136
The first thing that comes to mind when I read this chapter is the song Forever by Chris Tomlin. What a great song of worship. I can't wait to sing songs of praise when I enter God's kingdom. Just as God was faithful to the people of Israel thousands of years ago, He is faithful to us today. "Forever" can be illustrated by a visit to the cemetery. I know cemeteries can be a tough place to go for some people, but they can also be an excellent reminder of how finite we are as humans and how your life after the grave is either forever with the Father or forever without Him.
We live in a world full of people who love to hear themselves talk. Whether you are in a Monday morning meeting at your office or listening to talk show hosts interview guests on their shows, people constantly say the same thing over and over again, reiterating their talking points. I guess it is human nature to want others to understand your point, and without repetition, it might not happen. "For his loyal love endures" is repeated in each verse of this psalm since we are human and forgetful, and we need to hear it more than once.
In high school I ran for student council twice, and both times I had to give a speech in front of my school. The first year I memorized my speech, and it went very well. But the second year, I tried to wing it and left the stage feeling defeated and embarrassed. The more Scripture you can memorize, the better off you will be in every life circumstance. Sometimes, it takes hearing something more than once for it to really sink in. Remember to be prepared.
God has revealed Himself in so many ways to this world. Many of His miracles are listed in this psalm, but if I could add one verse to this chapter it would be: "Give thanks to the Lord, who sent His Son to die for me, for His loyal love endures."
Discussion Questions
1. What can you give thanks to the Lord for today?
2. How often are you praising God?
3. Do you find yourself just going through the motions when singing songs of worship at church?
4. Do you think it's good that there are so many styles of worship?