For his steadfast love endures forever….

by Peeter Lukas

This past Sunday we participated in a responsive reading of Psalm 136. I was deeply moved by it. We in the 21st century were following in the footsteps of our spiritual forefathers. In Jewish tradition Psalm 136 is called the Great Hallel, a “great psalm of praise.” God’s goodness, love, and power suffuse the psalm.

In verses 1-9, His creator goodness is praised for His acts in the far, far past of creation…
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
     for his steadfast love endures forever. (This response is given 25 more times in the psalm; I have left them out for the sake of space.)
Give thanks to the God of gods,
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
to him who alone does great wonders,
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
to him who made the great lights,
the sun to rule over the day,
the moon and stars to rule over the night…

Who was His counselor as He created the heavens and earth by mere creative thought? Who, then and now, provides assistance in lifting up the sun in the day and the stars and moon at night?

In verses 10-22, God as Israel’s Rescuer is praised for His acts in the more recent past…
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
and brought Israel out from among them,
with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
to him who led his people through the wilderness,
to him who struck down great kings,
and killed mighty kings,
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to Israel his servant…

They had witnessed the fearful judgment of God upon the Egyptians, experienced awe and deliverance at the parting of the Red Sea, knew their God to be jealous in His slaying of kings, and walked upon the promised land. These were facts—as certain and fixed parts of God’s plan as creation was before—and matters for praise.

In the final four verses, God is praised as our Protector now and forevermore.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
and rescued us from our foes,
he who gives food to all flesh,
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
     for his steadfast love endures forever.

God did not break His covenant love, His hesed, to Israel. Not even in the midst of their seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Neither will He break it to us in 2020.

What will be our “great song of praise” now and for years to come after the coronavirus is no more?

It was not the might of presidents
or scientists that defeated the virus,
but God’s mighty arm in the fullness of time.
     for his steadfast love endures forever.