Psalm
136:1-9 – This Psalm is suggested for
this Sunday. The theme of thanksgiving continues in the suggested Psalm for
this coming week. It is a liturgy of praise to the Lord as Creator and as
Israel’s redeemer. Verses 7 to 9 echo Genesis 1:16, And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and
the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.
The Lord’s steadfast love endures. His goodness is
expressed in the works of His creation. This psalm is absolutely unique because
its refrain is repeated at the end of each verse: “for his mercy endureth for ever”. The psalm was no doubt sung
antiphonally with the people responding with the refrain. The word mercy is
important in the Psalter. It refers to God’s loyal love for His people.
We need to be reminded often of God’s goodness because
the enemy repeatedly tries to get us to doubt it, especially in times of
trials. That’s why Peter warns us, in the context of suffering, to be on the
alert because our adversary, the devil, is seeking to devour us (1 Pet. 5:8).
It’s during trials that the enemy whispers, “If your God is so good, why is He
letting you suffer like this? Why doesn’t He deliver you?” Peter tells us to
resist such temptations, firm in our faith, knowing that the God of all grace
will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us (1 Pet. 5:9-10).
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 Lord.
[2]
[1]
Hosanna copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]
For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 The
American Lutheran Publicity Bureau New Delhi, NY
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