Our repeated phrase in Psalm 136 is “For His lovingkindness is everlasting”. What is God’s lovingkindness? His mercy, His favor and His goodness is extended to His children. When we think of mercy, it is compassion shown towards the guilty. It is not giving offenders the sentence which they truly deserve. In our case, we deserve death as the penalty for sin. Because of God’s mercy, Christ has taken upon Himself our penalty and we have received clemency – freedom from the sentence we owe. We have received God’s favor – His special grace and the privilege to be called His children. The benefits of His protection, His power, His forgiveness, His care, His love, and the list goes on, are poured upon His children in great quantity. Anything of lasting value, all things pleasing and useful towards God’s glory has been given to His children. Let us keep this in mind as we pick up our study in Psalm 136 with verse 24.
Psalm 136:24 says, “And has rescued us from our adversaries, for His lovingkindness is everlasting”.
Be still for a moment and hear the cavalry rescue tune playing in your mind. As a child of God, you are promised deliverance from your opponents. You may be thinking to yourself that this does not make much sense because you have experienced trouble many times. There is perhaps not a single individual who has not been hurt or challenged, cheated or wrongly accused, or attacked. So how can we say that God delivers us from opposition?
Verse 24 says He has rescued or redeemed us. Specifically, in this scripture, the deliverance of the Israelites is being addressed. Israel was brought low into slavery and needed to be set free from their oppression. In the same way, people are under the hold of sin and need to be rescued by their Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
We may suffer the effects of a sinful world, yet we have indeed been redeemed from the power of sin’s hold as God’s children. No matter how bad circumstances may seem, as God’s child, you have been rescued. What does this understanding mean for you? How does this truth affect the way you think or your attitude? With your sight and purpose focused on Him, you simply cannot fail and you have the power to resist sin’s grip. Is there any reason to be downhearted or feel depressed? Sometimes, God does allow us to feel the pain of a poor decision either stemming from our own thinking or someone else’s. Yet, God has not walked away from us; He is always by our side and will come to the rescue, as He did in the case of His chosen people.
Several years ago, we brought home a French bulldog puppy. Cute as can be but not so brilliant, this dog can make you laugh at her silly moves. However, she is somewhat clumsy and built like a small tank, compact and heavy for her small size. As I was in the middle of giving a piano lesson in the front room one afternoon, my other students were at the kitchen table doing homework, waiting for their turn. The kitchen is in the back of the house and has large windows that look out into the yard. Suddenly, one of my students quickly came into the front room where I was teaching and asked if Lily – our French bulldog – knew how to swim. I looked at her with somewhat raised eyebrows. They knew not to interrupt a lesson. My student went on to explain that Lily had fallen in the spa! I rushed out into the cold February weather and saw our puppy struggling to keep her head above water as she frantically splashed – bulldogs do not float! I quickly reached down into the ice-cold water and scooped up a panicked, bewildered, and water-logged dog, saving her from drowning which most certainly would have been her outcome, had no one seen her. Thankfully, there had been several pairs of little eyes watching her. She was wrapped in warm towels and suffered no lasting effects, but she did shiver for quite some time as her body warmed up and calmed down. She also learned not to get close to the edge of the pool.
God may allow us be uncomfortable in order to grow our dependence on Him. He may allow consequences for poor choices we make. We may be unfairly criticized or accused. Sin in the world hurts innocent and guilty people alike. But, a child of God possesses His perfect protection from the final penalty of sin, eternal death. God has snatched His children from the adversary. He has reached down to rescue you. His eyes are watching you at all times and He is always with you.
God rescued the Israelites even while they were disobedient, undeserving of His care. Exodus 15:3 says, “In Thy lovingkindness Thou hast led the people whom Thou hast redeemed; In Thy strength Thou hast guided [them] to Thy holy habitation”. Titus 2:14 speaks of our redemption from sin, “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds”.
Consider the many times God has rescued you. Has He turned your direction or caused you to think different? Has God helped you to keep your words silent? Has He given you a sense of peace even through trials? Saying God has redeemed you from sin means you are free. Free from becoming entangled by its snares. Are you able to find joy in difficult situations? It is because God has allowed you to think according to His truths. Your body, mind and soul are under God’s grace. Why? What is the repeated phrase in this Psalm? Because His lovingkindness is everlasting. God’s children have been snatched away from sin; they have been redeemed by Christ’s blood because God is merciful and enduring in His love.
Psalm 136:25 Who gives food to all flesh, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Consider where your food comes from. Contrary to what you might initially think, it does not come from the dining room, the grocery store or even the fields. God has chosen to provide mankind and every living thing with food according to His plan.
Psalm 104:27 says, “They all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season”. God’s goodness reaches towards all living creatures, all His creation. Can you say that there has ever been a time when God has not cared for you? Read Matthew 6:30, "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is [alive] today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, [will He] not much more [do so for] you, O men of little faith?
The only correct response we can have for God’s provision for all creation and His special care for His children is a heart of gratitude. His lovingkindness has no bounds. Think upon the air you breathe the ground on which you are standing – all things are from God because of His endless mercy.
Psalm 136 ends as it began, “Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (v.26).
“O raise your hearts to give him thanks with the highest praises; whose power extends itself beyond this earth, even unto the highest heavens: for his kindness is so unwearied, that we may hope from thence to be ever receiving more and more his blessings”, Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary.
Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 123:1 To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens!
Do you have a heart of gratitude –
Towards the LORD, the God of gods, the Lord of lords?
For His creation, the sun, moon and stars?
For His protection and deliverance from opposition?
For His miracles and strength?
For His love towards you even while you are undeserving?
For your rescue from the grips of sin?
We cannot miss this truth – God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. His kindness and forgiveness towards sinners through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ has paved the way for all to claim the promises of His care now and for eternity. God’s favor upon His children continually pours blessing upon them. Everywhere we look, we can see His hand of mercy. Where we deserve wrath, He extends love. Moreover, His love has no limit of time, it will last forever. Is this the God you have placed your soul trust in?
The Spurgeon Devotional Commentary ends its comments on Psalm 136 with this statement, “The Lord reigneth in the highest above all, making heaven the throne of his glory. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name”.
