God’s loving kindness is Everlasting

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 136:1

Psalm 136 is one of the most unique Psalms in all of scripture. It is classified as a liturgical hymn of praise and thanksgiving, often referred to as the “Great Hallel”, meaning “The Great Praise.” It is characterized by its repetitive refrain, “For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” which appears in every verse, emphasizing God’s enduring mercy and steadfast love. This psalm is traditionally used in Jewish worship and reflects a communal expression of gratitude to God.

Also, It is meant to be sung antiphonally, which refers to actions or behaviors that are characterized by the alternation of musical parts, or responses between two groups. It originates from the word “antiphon,” which describes a type of liturgical chant or response in religious ceremonies.

Here in chapter 136, antiphonally is shown where a leader declares God’s deed, and then the congregation responds with the refrain, “For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” This repetition found in every verse solidifies the truth of God’s covenant love in the minds and hearts of His people. This liturgical use in the second temple involved a worship leader who would most likely recite the first part of each statement, and the gathered worshippers would respond with a refrain in the second part, which here was always “For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

This Psalm is also carefully organized into four main thoughts, each highlighting God’s hesed (“steadfast love and covenant loyalty”). These are:

• Psalm 136:1–3: Call for Thanksgiving for who He is.

• Psalm 136:4–9: Call for Thanksgiving as the Creator of all there is.

• Psalm 136:10–22: Call for Thanksgiving for His Redemption in History.

• Psalm 136:23–26: Call of Thanksgiving to God the Sustainer and Universal Lord.

Let us now look at each of these individually. First a Call for Thanksgiving for who He is.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:1-3.

The Psalm begins with a triple summons to give thanks to the LORD, who is incredibly good, the God of gods, and the Lord of lords. This triple invocation of praise underscores God’s supremacy and uniqueness as the true sovereign God. This being a psalm of thanksgiving, the words “Give Thanks” begin each of the opening three verses. It calls us to give thanks to the LORD our God, not necessarily for anything he has done but simply for who He is. He is unique for he is good, whereas everyone and everything else is tainted with evil, not pure in His sight. Job in the old testament put it this way, rather harshly.

“If even the moon has no brightness And the stars are not pure in His sight, How much less man, that maggot, And the son of man, that worm!” Job 25:5-6.

In verse two he says God is absolutely supreme over all supernatural beings and man-made gods. Then in verse three He adds supreme earthly potentates. Whatever name they give themselves, whether god or LORD, God  is supreme.

Potentate refers to a king or dictator, but we can call anyone with virtually unlimited power a potentate.

What they are chiefly celebrating here is his covenant love (HESED), enshrined in YAHWEH (LORD) and proved to be everlasting. There had been a seeming interruption in the expression of his covenant love during the long years of captivity, but now they can see that was not really so. Everything he has done from the beginning until then is an expression of his love which endures forever.

Next, we move on to  a Call for Thanksgiving as the Creator of all that exists.

“To Him who alone does great wonders, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; To Him who made the heavens with skill, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting: The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:4-9.

The psalmist praises God for His wonders in the beginning creation, making the heavens, spreading out the earth, forming the lights of the sky. The sun, moon, and stars are not deities, as surrounding nations believed, but they were creations of the one and only true God. The refrain reminds us that creation itself flows from divine love, not from conflict or chance.

Next, we move on to  a Call for Thanksgiving for His Redemption in History.

“To Him who smote the Egyptians in their firstborn, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And brought Israel out from their midst, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; But He overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; To Him who smote great kings, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And slew mighty kings, For His lovingkindness is everlasting: Sihon, king of the Amorites, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And Og, king of Bashan, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And gave their land as a heritage, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, Even a heritage to Israel His servant, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:10-22. 

This section recalls the exodus, striking down Egypt’s firstborn, dividing the Red Sea, and leading Israel safely through. Pharaoh’s army is overthrown, and God guides His people in the wilderness. The conquest of the land is also remembered, especially victories over Sihon and Og. These historical events are interpreted through the same refrain: each act of judgment and deliverance was motivated by God’s steadfast love.

In verses 10–22, the writer is using language nearly identical to that found in Psalm 135, the psalm-singers recount the actions of God on behalf of the Israelites during the exodus, wanderings in the wilderness, and the settlement in the land.

“He smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants. He smote many nations And slew mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, And Og, king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan; And He gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people.” Psalm 135:8-12.

And now we come to the last section, Call of Thanksgiving to God the Sustainer and Universal Lord.

“Who remembered us in our low estate, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, And has rescued us from our adversaries, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:23-26.

Here, the psalmist brings this song to their present time period. God remembered Israel in their time of great hardship and still delivers His people. He provides food for all flesh, extending His care beyond Israel to the whole creation. The psalm concludes with a final call to give thanks to the God of heaven.

In this final stanza of Psalm 136, again in an echo of Psalm 135:13–14, the psalmist celebrates the provisions of God for the community of faith. God frees them from their oppressors (ṣārîm); and gives food to all flesh. Psalm 136 puts the gift of daily food on the same plane as the great acts of creation, exodus, and conquest.

I see Psalm 136 as one of the more important in the scriptures. It is a hymn of praise that anchors God’s people in the unchanging reality of His steadfast love. Through creation, redemption, and providence, God’s covenant faithfulness endures. And in Christ, that refrain is sealed forever. Every believer can join in the psalmist’s song, for everything He does is very good in reference to us Christians, His People. It may not always look all that great, but we must always trust God in whatever happens. Remember that Israels time in Egypt was not a happy time for them. They were slaves to Pharoah and the leadership of it’s leadership.

And today, we Christians must understand that God has a purpose for everything.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;   and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30.

James put it this way.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.

In closing, Israel as a nation went through many trials, especially their time in Egypt. But in the end, many good things came out of it, due to God’s everlasting love. They recognized this and ultimately trusted Him completely. And we, as Christians must understand this not just a historical truth, but a modern day truth as well, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sins. He never gives up on us, just as God never gave up on the Jews.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  2Peter 3:9.

Therefore, because we serve a wonderful, loving and good God, we should be thankful for whatever He gives us or has us go through. He loves us and has a purpose for everything He allows. Therefore always remember,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:1.