Psalm 136: Mighty Deliverer

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Psalmist would have been delivering this responsive reading to Israelites who would not have been too many generations removed from the exodus from Egypt. They would have been well aware of all the events leading up to, during, and after their families had fled from captivity. It would have been good for them to have this reminder and to interweave it with thanksgiving to the Lord.  

Is there any application to today? 

Have we experienced oppression and captivity? 

Well, maybe not by the hands of today's Egyptians. 

But what about the oppression of dysfunctional relationships? Or domineering employers? Or power-hungry government officials? Or overbearing senior residents or attending physicians? Or ________ . . . .

And what about the captivity we feel in our own skin because of choices we have made? Choices with finances. Choices with relationships. Choices with substance abuse. Choices regarding our attitude.

God wants to deliver us from whatever it is that captivates and oppresses us. He wants to remove us from our bondage; to part the formidable sea that threatens to do us in; to provide for us as we walk through the desert; to conquer our foes for us. And through this we can see that His faithful love endures forever!

Psalm 136

¹Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights— His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.

¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever.
¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea^[a] asunder His love endures forever.
¹⁴ and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever.
¹⁵ but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.

¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever.
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings— His love endures forever.
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever.
²⁰ and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever.
²¹ and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever.
²² an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever.

²³ He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.
²⁴ and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.
²⁵ He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Lord, make us keenly aware of the things in our lives that bind and oppress us. Free us, Lord. Take care of us. Bring us to rest in your promised land. May we praise your name forevermore.