Proper 23 (Ps) October 14th

Psalm 136:1-26

136 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 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. 

God has done many and various great things.  He has redeemed his children from slavery.  The Psalmist recalls these might works God has preformed in the Land of Egypt.  But he does not stop there.  He also recalls the Work God has done against the Amorites and King of Bashan.  He continued to guide his children Israel.

There is still one major theme in all this.  The people of Jericho and the Kings of the Land of Canaan, hear of these Mighty works.  They would listen to these words and hear of the great power of our Lord.  This causes them to fear not the people of Israel but the God who leads them.  Think of the way God has treated the Amorites.  Think of the way God has treated the Egyptians.  These Nations had corrupt leaders, but they were corrupt because they did not believe in God or follow his ways.

Israel even had corrupt leaders.  Many of the Kings of Israel and Kings of Judea did not do what was good in the eyes of the LORD.  Thus, God eventually judged the Nations of Judea and Israel.  This is a lesson for all of us to learn.

But the Major theme still remains.  Even in all these acts of Judgment, the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.  The Lord continues to love his people through all these things.  God shows his love by redeeming his people from destructive and evil nations.  God does not look kindly upon the sinful humans.  But His steadfast Love for all his children endures forever.  Therefore, God provides us a true sign of Love through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  On Good Friday, we recall a great Judgment of God and also his steadfast Love for you.