Psalm 136:1 ~ Always & Forever

Psalm 136:1

Always & Forever

Always and Forever

Luther Vandross

Always and forever Each moment with you Is just like a dream to me That somehow came true, And I know tomorrow Will still be the same 'Cause we got a life of love That won't ever change and Everyday love me your own special way Melt all my heart away with a smile Take time to tell me you really care And we'll share tomorrow together Ooh baby, I'll always love you forever.

The purpose of this message is to let you know that you have a reason to praise and worship God!

“There’s probably no tool of teaching more powerful than repetition. Repetition reinforces. Scripture constantly repeats terms, phrases, and clauses to emphasize their importance.” (Howard Hendricks, Living By the Book)

In Jewish tradition this psalm is often known as the Great Hallel (‘the Great Psalm of Praise’).

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 16. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

(vv. 1-3). The verse can be called a formula because it clearly existed independently in Israel’s liturgical repertoire as a fixed expression of thanksgiving. In Chronicles, its use is associated with the Levitical guilds of singers who apparently sang it as their primary sentence of praise on various occasions, and it could be used in a litany in which the people participated...

Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994. Print. Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

1Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.

2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.

3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Chronicles 20:21

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136 is a companion of Psalm 135. Both are hymns that praise the Lord with a recitation of the deeds of the Lord. Psalm 136 uses the recital to expound the steadfast love of the Lord.

Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994. Print. Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.

Give thanks is not the whole meaning of this word (which introduces not only each of the first three verses and the final one, but also, unheard, every verse or sequence in the psalm): it basically means ‘confess’ or ‘acknowledge’ (cf. e.g. Lev. 5:5; Prov. 28:13, in a less happy context), and therefore calls us to thoughtful, grateful worship, spelling out what we know or have found of God’s glory and his deeds. The psalm proceeds to do this, speaking here of his character (1) and sovereignty (2, 3); then of what he has made and done (4ff.)

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 16. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

1. Expression of God’s Character is Love/Mercy

The expression of God’s character emanates from who God IS! (ref. 1 John 4:8, “…God is love.)

God’s covenant with God’s people is predicated on His love for His people!

God first loved us, before we loved Him.

2. Extent of God’s Love/Mercy (Endures Forever)

His love/mercy NEVER QUITS!

His love/mercy CONTINUES!

His steadfast love is ETERNAL!

His love is ETERNAL!

3. The WHYs for Giving Thanks to the LORD...

(1 Chron. 16:36, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.”) - this is what the phrase “…FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER” is about…- ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING AMEN!

For His Creation (4-9)

For His Deliverance (10-16)

For His Protection (17-24)

SIHON (PERSON) [Heb sı̂hôn (סִיהֹון)]. Amorite king defeated by Moses and the Israelites prior to their entrance into Canaan.

Slayton, Joel C. “Sihon (Person).” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 22. Print.

OG (PERSON) [Heb ʿôg (עֹוג)]. King of the land of Bashan in Transjordan (Num 21:33–35). He was defeated and killed by the Israelites as they passed through his territory on the way to the promised land.

McMillion, Phillip E. “Og (Person).” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992 : 9. Print.

For His Provision (25-26)

forever (future) n. — an indeterminate and unending time going on into the future.

loyal love n. — an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant.