Psalm 136
Like all the Psalms, this one grows more beautiful the longer you study it. It was originally intended to be a call and response between two groups or individuals. Three historic themes are presented: the goodness and greatness of God in His creation (vs. 1-9), the care and victory of God in the Exodus (vs. 10-22), and the provision and protection of God bringing Israel back from captivity (vs. 23-26). But there is more to it than just these three themes. The response line might be translated as “for His tender mercy is to the coming age.” The word "mercy" is a central theme of the Old Testament in reference to God’s covenant love and faithfulness toward His people. It is important to notice that this relationship is everlasting. All the moments and events we see described in this Psalm are mere points, with a beginning and an end, in a line, but the mercy, the loving kindness, never ends. This Psalm is pointing toward the never-ending grace we have in Christ. 1 Peter 1:10-12 tells us the ancients deeply desired to see this ultimate mercy. Everything in Psalm 136 is the merest glimpse of the grace we have in Christ.
“Thank you, God, that Your loving, kind mercy for me is without end. AMEN.”
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