Psalm 136 “Give Thanks”
Introduction:
This Psalm was probably composed by David and given to the Levites to sing every day (1 Chronicles 16:41) in the temple as a responsive Hymn.
“Great Hallel” (Great Psalm of Praise): A solemn prayer of thanksgiving, it was sung traditionally at the conclusion of Passover meal. It invites readers to “give thanks, to offer the sacrifice of praise continually whenever we read it. (Hebrews 13:15).
So, King Solomon made use of it, at the dedication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 7:3-6), and Jehoshaphat when he went out to war against his enemies (2 Chronicles 20:21). Jesus Christ had used this Hymn along with his disciples before they left for Gethsemane. (Mathew 26:30; Mark 14:26).
During the time of Emperor Constantine, One night in February 358 A.D. Athanasius was conducting night service in his church at Alexandria, he was surrounded by Syrians and his troops, and many were wounded and murdered, the Bishop of Alexandria sat still in his chair, and ordered the deacon to begin this Psalm, and the people answered in prompt alternation, The vast congregation responded, thundering forth twenty-six time, ‘His love endures forever.’
This psalm 135 calls to Praise him for what he is (v.1-), Praise him for what he could do(v.4), Praise him for what he has done in creation(v.5-9), Praise him for what he did in redeeming Israel from bondage (v.10-15), Praise him for his providence toward them(v.16-22), Praise him for his grace with personal gratitude (v.23-25), Praise him yet he is God of heaven ( Psalms 136:26 ).
Steadfast Love endures forever: Linguistically, the Hebrew word used for “love” in this refrain “implies faithfulness, mercy, goodness, grace, tenderness.” For every proclamation of the Lord’s saving action, the worshipper/follower responds with the basic impetus of praise.
Pope Benedict XVI: “It summarizes the loving plan of God manifested throughout the History. “This is a great hymn of praise to celebrate the Lord in the multiple repeated manifestations of his goodness throughout the history of man”.
I would like to summarize these acts and events into three words as Remembered, Redeemed and rewarded.
1. Remembered us. (v.23)
VV.1-9. “The Lord remembered us in our low esteem” – who is this God? He is a God of gods, Lord of Lords, made heavens, stretched out the earth, made great lights, the sun and the moon. This God is beyond our imagination and understanding, comprehension and exposition. Here the Psalmist narrates the creation story in a nutshell and synopsis form.
Bible attests this great mercy of God through the following incidents:
1. God remembered Noah and his family after the flood (Genesis 8:1),
2. God remembered Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19),
3. God remembered the promise made to Abraham (Genesis19:29 & Exodus 2:24, 6:5),
4. God remembered Joseph when he was in the Prison
5. God remembered David when he was taking care of the flock
6. God remembered Israel during the period of Judges.
7. He visited them, blessed them and healed them.
That same God remembered us. We are very low esteemed people, we are clay jars, we are weak flesh with blood and bones. We are mortal beings and equated to grass, flower, smoke and shade. Our days are nothing before him. “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visits him?” (Psalm 8:4). Who am I to be remembered by God? In what way I am better than the unsaved?
2. Redeemed us (v.24).
VV. 10-20 Yahweh had redeemed Israel from their “Enemies”, namely, Pharaoh of Egypt, Sihon the king of Amorites, Og the king of Bashan, and many famous kings. Sihon and Og are particularly mentioned because they were the first two that were conquered on the other side Jordan (v. 19-20). They were hated by Egyptians, taskmasters, Strong hands. They were threatened with a lack of resources and facing the red sea which was like a monster. But God overturned everything and he has scratched into two pieces and rescued them in many other situations.
Afterwards, they were “guided by the Lord,” they learned “to live by faith, obedience and docility to God’s law.” However, there were “difficult years, marked by the harshness of life” also “happy years, of confidence in the Lord, of filial trust”. Those years were also ones in which the Lord “led his people, educated and loved them,” and ultimately led them to the Promised Land.
What about your experience this year? Did you meet persons like Pharaohs, Sihons and Ogs. Probably you might have faced tough bosses, subtle subordinates, accusing Collogue and jealousy equals. May be they despised you because of your colour, stature, talk and walk, even the way you eat and drink. But God has not put you into shame but has given you victory over all these things.
3. Rewarded us (v. 25).
VV.21-22 “Heritage”
The third part of the personal gratitude is heritage along with food, cloth and housing– it is also referred to as Culture of a society.
The psalmist sings or gives thanks to God because He gave their land, the land flowing with milk and honey. It was a land with lofty mountains and valleys, beautiful strong stem trees and feeble stem grass fields. It had Walled cities and great towns. It was a Land of grapes and dry fruits(Numbers 13:27-33). God gave this land as their heritage – with an identity of food, cloth and housing. It has many uninterrupted blessings from God.
This was the beginning of a “happy time of stability” with the “joy of building houses, planting vines, living in security and peace”. It was also, a “time of temptation to idolatry,” and of contamination with the Gentiles.”
The providence of God is sung in the present tense because it continues on in our lives. No end to it. He gives food to all flesh. It is an instance of the mercy of God's providence that wherever he has given life he gives food agreeable and sufficient, and he is a good housekeeper that provides for so large a family.
The riches of his glory are displayed in the vessels of his mercy (Romans 9:23). It also denotes him to be the great benefactor, and we should trace every stream to the fountain. God’s mercy is an inexhaustible fountain. “God considered his people and gave them food” (Ruth 1:6). Psalm 104:27-28 “God gives food to all flesh”. He satisfies all with food (Psalms145:15-16).
Conclusion:
It is good to enter into the details of God's favours, blessings, experiences and acquaintances and lessons, failures, successes in our lives throughout this year.
It is good to view them one by one rather than looking at them as one bunch or the gross. Thank for very small and great blessings and lacks rather just to say “Thanks for all the blessings”. Hence, take time to count them one by one, and in each instance to observe, and own, then say “Thank you, Lord”.
