Psalm 136:1–3 (ESV) —
1 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;
NOTE: The psalmist
repeats the phrase, "for his steadfast love endures forever,"
throughout the Psalm. And I am sure there is a purpose, which will need to be
explored later in the week. For today, another repetition stands out, and that
is in the first three verses: "give thanks …." The psalmist begins by
being thankful that the Lord is good. He then gives thanks that God is the God
of gods and then that God is the Lord of lords. What does it mean for God to be
good? I think from the psalmist's perception it would not be his righteousness,
but the aspect of good that is most appropriate to the creature -- God does
good things for us. At least that is what comes to my mind. God does not have
to be good to us since we rebelled against his rule. God does not have to give
us anything. God would be perfectly righteous and good if he eliminated us from
existence. But God has not done that and in fact God has gone out of his way to
redeem us from our rebellion. He took our place on the cross and paid our
penalty for sin. He gave us his Holy Spirit to live in us and change us so that
we are becoming more like him every day -- well, at least for those who let the
Holy Spirit worked to change them. God is good and I am so undeserving. Thank
you Lord, your steadfast love endures forever.
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