September 14, 2023 — Psalm 136

“O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever…” (Verses 1-15)

It is a unique psalm in that the same refrain is repeated 26 times. The only other Psalm that has anything close to this kind of pattern is when Psalm 118:1-4 repeats, “His lovingkindness is everlasting” four times.

Psalm 136 was most likely designed for public worship. The Jews called it the Great Hallel (= Praise), and it was especially sung at the Passover. Perhaps the worship leader would recite the first line of each verse, followed by the congregation repeating together the response, “for His loving-kindness is everlasting.” There are times throughout the year where our worship liturgy will offer a similar pattern of call and response.

John Calvin famously said that the repeated refrain teaches us that to praise the Lord properly, we must acknowledge that everything we receive from Him is bestowed by G-d’s grace. Commentators note how similar this psalm is to Psalm 135, and that both psalms cite frequently from other Scriptures, especially Deuteronomy. In fact, there are many other phrases or themes in the psalm that come directly from other Old Testament Scriptures.

The lesson for us is that it is important for us to know Scripture (including the Old Testament!) so well that when we are confronted with trials and difficulties, we can respond to such trials with biblical language and prayer. This is why we started this endeavor in the first place – to familiarize ourselves with parts of scripture we may never have read before. Charles Spurgeon once said of John Bunyan, “Prick that man anywhere and his blood runs bibline.” He meant that Bunyan was so full of the Bible that it ran in his veins. Let me ask you, how “bibline” is your blood?

The stories in the Old Testament that Psalm 136 alludes to “were written for our instruction.” If you are familiar with these stories, so much so that they shape your thinking, then you will be able to apply them when you need them most. That is why responsive scripture reading in worship is so helpful for our everyday life.

Let us Pray:

God of everlasting love, through your Word you made all things in heaven and on earth; you have opened to us the path from death to life. Listen to the song of the universe, the hymn of resurrection sung by your church, and give us your blessing; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 13, 2023 — Psalm 135

“Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD;

give praise, O servants of the LORD, you that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession. For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human beings and animals; he sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings—Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For the LORD will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.” (Verses 1-14)

I know there are people who pray in their car, or pray as they’re getting ready to go to work, and even pray every single place that allows such devotion. These are good habits for those who can focus, but for people like me, it often is not that easy. I must have longer moments of quiet time to remain focused. It’s how my brain works within the structure of my day. More importantly, it’s what I need. You however, you may be able to use that time more efficiently than I — for that may be how your brain works.

And now, in this post Covid19 ravaged world, the reality is that our losses and struggles every day may outweigh the praise we can offer on a daily basis. We get consumed and overwhelmed with school schedules, work from home distractions, or anxiety attacks about finances and the cost of living. If we are going to get any time to pray or hold devotions, we are going to need to force ourselves to reflect. 

There are many times throughout my week where I sit down at my desk and before the first key is pressed on my IPad, I sit back and offer up a prayer as my heart feels the need. And opening with praise, as Psalm 135 does, offering up praise before we even think about what it is we need, or who needs our prayers that day, well, that little offering of praise can change the course of our thinking.  It changes the mindset of the burdens of the day.

For each of us, there are many reasonable and logical reasons why we should praise G-d. There is purpose to why the psalmist opens and closes with praise. For it pulls back the veil of our needy thinking and draws all attention to the One who holds the answers, who has the capability to intervene, and most of all, unconditional love for all.

Let us Pray:

Lord God, great are your deeds; you have shattered the powers of evil and have shown compassion to your servants. Keep us from being deceived by idols, for there is no god like you, and your renown endures from age to age. Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Pastor Dave