His Mercy Endureth Forever

Psalm 136:1-26

“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.” (Psalm 136:1-2)

Mercy means a person deliberately chooses not to extract the maximum penalty or judgment one deserves.   God is always good, willing to forgive those who are repentant and limit their punishment, and he never changes his mind or takes back his forgiveness.    He is the God of gods, and his judgments will never be set aside on appeal by some greater authority.  Every verse in this psalm thanks God for something he has done, and for the assurance that it will be true forever. 

“O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.  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 ever. “ (Psalm 136:3-9)

This first group of verses relate to God’s creation of the earth, and that it will last forever, following the laws he has established.  He created the earth so that the water did not cover it all, and despite the doom and gloom prophets of global warming, we need not fear the waters rising high enough to flood the world again.  We do not need to worry about the sun going out some time in the next few million years, or the planets and stars getting out of orbit and crashing into the earth.  They will keep functioning according to the principles God established at creation.  Thanks be to God, that no one will change their minds and shut it all off, because his mercy endures forever.

“To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: 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 for 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.“ (Psalm 136:10-15)

God had delivered Israel from Egypt, sending the plagues to make the egyptians set them free, and leading them through the Red Sea.  When the Egyptians changed their mind, God caused them to be drowned in the Sea, preventing them from recapturing them.   Egypt was never able to enslave them again, even when Israel turned away from God and forgot him.  His mercy endures forever. 

“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: 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.” (Psalm 136:16-22)

Despite their constant complaining and disobedience, God lead and protected Israel in the wilderness for forty years, enabling them to defeat old and well established nations with powerful armies.  As a result they were able to claim large areas on both sides of the Jordan River for themselves.  It was only through God’s mercy they were not killed for their rebellion and complaining.  Thankfully, his mercy endures forever, and God’s promises will never be taken away. 

“Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 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.” (Psalm 1365:23-26)

Finally, God remembered how little Israel was esteemed in the world and has delivered them from their enemies’ power repeatedly.    He supplies the food for the entire world even though there are few who serve him. The entire world survives because of his mercy, and should give thanks for all he has done.