June 1, 2025 -- Psalm 136:1 -- The refrain that echoes throughout time

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 ESV
 
That refrain, “for his steadfast love endures forever” is repeated 26 times in this Psalm. As a child I thought the repetitiveness of it seemed so pointless. As an adult it took a long time to really begin to grasp what is happening whenever the refrain is repeated. If you’re in a soccer stadium and the fans of the home team begin their chant of support, it usually begins with a few guys until the sound of it increases as more and then even more people join in. Soon the stadium is filled with the roar of fans chanting. That’s what is happening with Psalm 136. It is as if a single person begins the refrain and soon more people join in. Then more take up the chant. Soon all the peoples of the earth join with all the saints above, finally joining in are all the creatures surrounding the throne. What an exuberant shout and song and combination of voices and instruments declaring HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
 
This refrain is used in II Chronicles 20:21 as well. A massive army surrounded King Jehoshaphat. He appealed to the LORD for help. Then having shouted encouragement to his people in the Name of the LORD, he appointed and sent out singers at the head of the army, who dressed in their holy attire were praising God saying, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever” (II Chr. 20:21). Each time you read this refrain in the Bible you are reminded that Jesus is the Captain of Salvation. In the strength of Jesus, we face hordes of enemies and strong detractors and mighty and powerful haters of God knowing that for us to live is Christ and to die is gain. The Captain of Salvation may place us where the fighting is fiercest and we may be martyred for his cause, even so, his steadfast love endures forever. God our Father has authority over our lives now and the authority to determine where we will spend eternity. His steadfast love endures forever!
 
The greatest example of the Father’s steadfast love is Jesus Christ. You know the text so well, “for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Love took on flesh. Love is steadfast and everlasting because Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in power.
 
Father in heaven great are you and worthy of praise—for your steadfast love endures forever. Mighty God thank you for your steadfast love perfectly demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
Spirit of the Living God help us as the people bathed in the radiant steadfast love of God to reflect our love to you, God, and shine such love to all those who you put into our path.
Triune God, whose steadfast love endures forever, gather us together this Sunday so that we, with all your people across the globe and across the centuries who are now in heaven, may exult you and with increasing fervor and joy declare: your steadfast love endures forever. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/oLh0lhqknS4?si=JcOvWvT6r8rhGtLq Psalm 136 Song (great tool for memorization of this Psalm)
 

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