Psalms 136:1-25

Psalms 136:1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords for his mercy endureth. for ever.

In this Psalm we have the same refrain repeated twenty- six times. The words, «for his mercy endureth for ever,» were probably intended to be taken up as a chorus by all the people in and round about the temple at their solemn festivals. But, though there is repetition here, there is no tautology, for the saints of God are so fond of God's praise that they can never have too much of it. I am sure that, if you have ever tasted the faithful mercy of God in covenant with his people, you will never hear this sentence once too often. «For his mercy endureth for ever» will be a sound that shall be most welcome to your ears. You will observe that, first of all, the praise is to the Lord's person: «O give thanks unto Jehovah... the God of gods.... the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.» Next, the praise turns upon his works

Psalms 136:4. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For His mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for eves'.

In the works of creation, and in the dispensations of providence, we have abundant proofs of the perpetuity of God's lovingkindness. No sooner have we experienced the blessings of the day than the mercies of the night follow quickly upon their heels. If we look up to the heavens, we have instances of God's mercy there, in kindling the stars, and lighting the sun and moon; and if we look upon the waters, and the land that standeth above them, we still see God's lovingkindness. That man is intensely blind who can see nothing of love and kindness in creation. You have but to open your eyes anywhere to see that the whole earth is full of the mercy of God. Still, the loudest song belongs to God's dealings with his Church; and, therefore, in the tenth verse, we come to God's deliverance of his peculiar people, his chosen Israel, in which we also have our share, for in Abraham's seed all the nations of the earth are blessed this day.

Psalms 136:10. To him that smote Egypt in their first born: for his mercy endureth for ever: and brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth far ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

And you and I have experienced deliverance's of a like kind. Our troubles have been overcome; our sins have been forgiven; we have been preserved by God's goodness, and guided by his wisdom. Let us, therefore, sing of that covenant faithfulness, and of that immutable truth, which have never left us.

Psalms 136:16. To him which led his people through the wilderness for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: and slew famous kings for his mercy endureth for ever:

We are far too slow to recall the special mercies of God. We have here a bright example given us, not only to remember God's goodness in the lump, but in detail. We are, as it were, to take his mercies to pieces, that we may see fresh grounds for thanksgiving in every separate section.

Psalms 136:19. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: and Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: and gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Here is a song for us: «Who remembered us in our low estate.» We were brought low by sin, by conviction, by ignorance, by our own powerlessness; but, low as we were, «He remembered us in out low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever.»

«He sent his Son with power to save

From guilt, and darkness, and the grave

Wonders of grace to God belong,

Repeat his mercies in your song.»

Psalms 136:24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven for his mercy endureth for ever.

Thus the Psalm finishes upon its keynote: «for his mercy endureth for ever.» May that be the keynote both of our daily song and of our eternal hymn of praise unto the Lord! Amen.

This exposition consisted of readings from Isaiah 55:1, and Psalms 136:1