Text: Psalm 136
CREATE INTEREST
LOVE
It is the word that has inspired thousands of songs. It is the concept that has led Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, the Backstreet Boys, and the ever-talented David Hasselhoff to successful musical careers. Love is the very thing that leaves teenage girls and grown women alike awake late at night dreaming about their weddings, and leaves many teenage guys wondering “if I keep lifting weights for several hours a day, will it make me better at talking to girls?” All of this leaves us with the impression that love is a very complicated concept. Our psalm today mentions love in every single verse, but what is it saying? If we look closely, we are introduced to an important concept: we learn about God’s love from His nature and His actions.
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 136 reviews the history of Israel and expresses praise to God for His consistent love throughout Israelites history. The Old Testament records examples of God’s people following that pattern in worship. God commanded His people in the wilderness that once they settled in the Promised Land they were to worship by:
• Bringing offerings to Him
• Reviewing their history
• Giving God thanks for all He has done for them (Deut. 26:1-11)
Psalm 136 is a hymn meant to be sung responsively. Hymn psalms typically include a call to praise God and then describe the reasons to praise Him.
READ TEXT
THE LOVE OF GOD
Translating the different Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words used for love in the Bible, the CSB renders the word “love” 766 times. And if we look at the broader expressions of God’s love toward man (care, mercy, compassion, etc.), it would be nearly impossible to count.
Perhaps the most important Old Testament term describing God’s love is chesed. It’s a Hebrew term for God’s unfailing love. It is always translated:
• His love is eternal. – CSB
• His lovingkindness is everlasting. – NASB
• His love endures forever. – NIV
• His mercy endures forever. – KJV & NKJV
• His steadfast love endures forever. – ESV
• His faithful love endures forever. – NLT
• His love never quits. – MSG
A summary of the way chesed—kindness and faithful love—are used reveals a broad spectrum of meanings:
? Deeds of devotion
• Faithfulness
• Favor
• Goodness
• Kindness
• Loyalty
• Mercy
• Unchangeableness
All of these words mean loyal love, but that seems to fall short of a full expression.
While any single definition is inadequate, God loves to be loyal to His promises and His covenant people. We may not tend to think of loyalty as love—due to our language deficit—but think of God the Father, who is always loyal to keep His promises, it is His character.
It’s who He is: He is always true, always faithful, and always loyal to His Word and to His people. We often say we believe in the promises of God, but do we connect this to His nature as a loving God and Father? We say God loves us, but do we reflect on the immeasurable nature of His love: that He chose us before the foundation of the world, sent Christ to die for us, indwells us with His Spirit, is merciful, compassionate, and forgives us again, and again? God never gets tires of our prayers nor does He get disappointed and abandons us.
The psalmists’ paints vivid portrait of God’s faithful love. No matter what you feel regarding human love, I encourage you re-think and re-frame your view of God’s love for you. Spouses, parents, siblings, children, and close friends will fail us. Rather than become jaded or withdrawn, be mindful that we, too, fail in our love toward others.
But beyond the broken hearts and broken relationships, the perfect God loves you perfectly. Your God and Father is indeed the greatest Lover of your soul.
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE
This morning, I want to look at three characteristics of God’s love of who He is.
1. GOD’S LOVE IS POWERFUL – 1-5
A. Reveals the character of God.
1) He is good. V. 1
2) God of gods. V. 2
3) Lord of lords. V. 3
4) He does great wonders. V. 4
5) He is creator. V. 5
B. God is thoroughly and consistently good.
C. God’s character is:
1) Steadfast
2) Powerful
3) Reliable
4) True trustworthy
5) From first to last
2. GOD’S LOVE IS FAITHFUL – 10-15
A. These verses detail historical events of Israel’s slavery in Egypt. Ex. 6 – 14
What was God’s loving provisions of justice during this time in Israel’s history?
B. God gives 7 freedom promises that tell us of His faithful love for His people. Ex. 6:6 – 8
1) I will deliver you – v. 6a
2) I will free you – v. 6b
3) I will redeem you – v. 6c
4) I will take you – v. 7a
5) I will be your God – 7b
6) I will bring you – v. 8a
7) I will give it to you – v. 8b
C. Verse 12 is a picture of God’s power- “strong hand and outstretched arm”. The psalmist is describing an attribute of God.
D. Thank God for enacting justice against those who act cruelly. Romans 12:19b says, For it is written: Vengeance belongs to ME; I will repay, says the Lord.
How can we know God has, is, or will provide deliverance?
1) God’s provision of deliverance from evil is never logical or instant.
2) Even in the history detailed in verses 10-15, the Israelites had waited approximately 400 years for deliverance.
3) God often uses people to bring about His good plans (Mic. 6:6-8).
4) Believers long waited deliverance – Rev. 21:1-4
One of the key features of God’s love as described in the Bible: His love is a love of covenant faithfulness. When God makes a promise, He will keep it. God never abandons His covenants, and He never abandons those with whom He makes a covenant.
Jesus hints at this in John 10 when He says “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand (verses 27-28).” Those who are in God’s family cannot be snatched away, because God is faithful to keep His covenants.
Paul talks about something similar in His letter to the Philippians when he says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).” God is a finisher, and when He starts something, He will complete it. If He has begun to work in your life, and you are one of His people, it means that He will complete that work in your life until the day that Jesus returns and into eternity.
3. GOD’S LOVE IS SELF-GIVING – 23-26
A. Since we know God doesn’t forget anything, the psalmist wants us to know He remembers. V. 23
B. The Psalmist wants the Israelites to remember that God cared for them even when they were in a ‘low estate’ in their bondage of slavery, at the mercy of their enemies, and unable to take care of themselves.
C. The same God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and creative is the same God who cares for those who are weak, unable to care for themselves, and in all kinds of desperate situations.
1) God sees our tears. He knows our humiliation and our pain. Nothing escapes His watchful eye (Zech. 12:4).
2) Whether our humiliation comes from surroundings like work or school, or because we stand for Christ, God knows. Peter called on his readers to unleash their cares and lay them at the Father’s feet, for He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7).
3) In our times of distress, we must seek His face above all else. When we do, we will learn what Israel learned: His faithful love endures forever.
FOLLOW THROUGH [CLOSURE]
Psalm 136 teaches us that God reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and all of human history according to the purposes of His grace. Our appropriate response is to: Give thanks to the God of Heaven! His love endures forever.
