Psalm 136 — His Love Endures Forever — Aneel Aranha

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights —
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings —
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan —
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Psalm 136 is very different from the other psalms. A litany of historical deeds is repeatedly punctuated with the refrain: "His love endures forever." This isn't merely a chorus but an anchor, grounding every recounted act of God in his unchanging love. The psalmist doesn't just tell a story; he interprets it, providing us a lens through which to view our own stories.

The psalmist recounts creation, deliverance from Egypt, guidance through the wilderness, and conquest of nations, each time affirming: "His love endures forever." It's a reminder that every act of God, whether in creation, judgment, or salvation, is an expression of his steadfast love.

After exploring the depths of Psalm 136, we are led to a broader, yet deeply personal theological concept, encapsulated in a single Hebrew word: 'hesed.' It describes God's steadfast love. This term is rich, embodying God's persistent, unbreaking, always and forever kind of love. It's a love that goes beyond sin, idolatry, and rebellion. It's a love that, despite Israel's unfaithfulness, remains unshaken.

The apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). 

Like the psalmist, Paul is convinced of the unbreakable nature of God's love, now fully revealed in Christ Jesus. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus embodies "hesed." His love endures forever!

This love isn't merely a topic for theological discussion but has practical implications for our lives. It provides a foundation upon which our faith rests, assuring us that despite our failures, shortcomings, and sins, God's love towards us remains steadfast and unchanging. We should all find this immensely reassuring.

God bless you.