In concluding our Bible studies on the historical psalms, tonight we looked at Psalms 135 and 136, understanding that these psalms combine a rich vein of thanksgiving with historical facts about God as creator (Ps 135:6-7, Ps 136:5-9) and redeemer. Both psalms refer again to the exodus, that all-defining moment of Israel’s history (Ps 135:8-9, Ps 136:10-16), but also look to God’s continued help throughout the wilderness wanderings (Ps 135:10-12, Ps 136:17-20). These historical references help to root us in God’s character. Both psalms are calls to praise and both remind us unequivocally of reasons to praise and give thanks (‘for the Lord is good’ Ps 135:3, ‘give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.’ Ps 136:1) Ps 136 is unique in its repeated refrain (‘His love endures forever’, which features in every one of the 26 verses) and whilst we may find such repetition tedious at times, it is a fact that we need to be reminded constantly of God’s love and goodness, because we tend to doubt these so much (and have an enemy whose favourite tactic is casting doubt on God’s goodness, a tactic which has had much success since Eve first believed it…)
Both psalms, therefore, root us in the immutable nature of God. The God who made promises to Israel also made good on those promises, leading His people into a rich inheritance (since He is good, His gifts are also good as Deut 1:25 testifies; see also Ps 84:11, James 1:17). He is far superior to any man-made gods we care to come up with (Ps 135:15-18; see also Is 44:1-20), for He is the God who spoke creation into being and who does whatever pleases Him (Ps 135:6; see also Ps 115:3). Because God does not change (Mal 3:6), we can trust Him to be good to us and to fulfil His promises. Just as He led Israel through the wilderness, He will lead us; just as He freed them from their enemies; He will free us. Our response, therefore, should be the same as theirs, to give thanks and praise to the God who is good and whose love endures forever.
