#888 Steadfast Love

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. Psalm 136 ESV

A Psalm of the steadfast love of God.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good - Everything that God has directly made is good. It was only in the fall, rebellion against good, that we have come to know evil. The Psalmist finds many reasons still to praise and give thanks, for the Lord has not changed, He is still the eternal good. His justice is good, His mercy is good, His love endures forever. It is the simplest thing to ask of the creature, give thanks for the water you did not make, but thirst for, and those that know His mercy to sinners will be compelled of an overflowing heart to give thanks. 

Give thanks to the God of gods - There are things that men call and even men that claim to be gods, but the Creator of all things is most obviously above all. The following verses distinguish Him from all else by attributing all as belonging to Him.

- If the heathen cultivate the worship of their gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of the God of gods--the only true and real God. Foolish persons have gathered from this verse that the Israelites believed in the existence of many gods, at the same time believing that their Jehovah was the chief among them; but this is an absurd inference, since gods who have a God over them cannot possibly be gods themselves. The words are to be understood after the usual manner of human speech, in which things are often spoken of not as they really are, but as they profess to be. God as God is worthy of our warmest thanks, for his mercy endureth for ever. Imagine supreme Godhead without everlasting mercy! It would then have been as fruitful a source of terror as it is now a fountain of thanksgiving. Let the Highest be praised in the highest style, for right well do his nature and his acts deserve the gratitude of all his creatures. C. H. Spurgeon

Give thanks to the Lord of lords - Kings, Presidents, Emperors, Mayors, those that sit in the house of Republics, tyrants of Socialist dictatorships, or the heads of corporations, all will give account to God whether they acknowledge His rightful place or deny His existence. Give thanks, for those that have ruled for selfish gain, who have claimed to be the saviors of the world, who have persecuted, have given false hope, they will all stand before the just Judge. We, who have put our hope in men, must come to the knowledge that so much is outside of their control, and like us they are also flawed. 

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;

35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth;

and none can stay his hand

or say to him, “What have you done?”

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4: 28-37

To Him, Who by understanding made the heavens - The universe, the moon and the stars, rising and setting of the sun, not random, but rather ordered constants that we enjoy. No man has ever influenced so much, and while we may go the moon, or set our sights now upon Mars, it is God Who has made such things and has also made the mind of man as well. While men and angels may travel, it is God Who is everywhere and knows all things.

To Him, Who struck down the first born of Egypt - We see both God's judgement and His mercy. He has pulled out His elect even from the hand of Pharaoh, who thought himself a god. He has, in his judgment against a nation, preserved a people. Not all who saw these things entered into the promised land, for many died outside because of their murmuring and disobedience. Many were brought out, but few were chosen, and this is a sobering thought, but also the beauty of Christ atonement. The only begotten Son of God, receiving the Justice meant for me, is the greatest acknowledgement of God's wrath and mercy, all poured out upon the same place, satisfied at Calvary.

And gave their land as a heritage - Who made the land? Tell me what it is you own again, that cannot be taken away? Men hold things by might against other men, but who can keep what the Creator has made away from Him? The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

He Who gives food to all flesh - Everything that men need to physically survive can be found here on this earth, but sadly we manipulate it to our greed, and will shamefully cause others to go without. He is also faithful to reveal to us what we lack more, and that is that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This too He has provided, and fulfilled in the coming of His Son. The Pentateuch which revealed the fall, the promise of a Messiah, the law to reveal the breech. The historical books that record men's hope in idols, and God's judgment upon these things. He has given us poets that teach us to sing and much about prayer. The prophets, who have revealed in words what was pictured of Christ, from death which came in the garden, the covering of Adam and Eve with animal skins, the substitution of the ram for Isaac, sin leads to death. These things become even clearer as in Psalm 22, in Isaiah, Zechariah and Malachi etc.

Why are we still here? Why has He provided all these things for our learning? Because of His steadfast love. Give thanks, for His steadfast love endures forever.