Psalms 135, 136
THESE two psalms are connected in thought with the "songs of degrees," psalms 120 to 134. The journey upward to the place of God's earthly sanctuary as portrayed in those psalms is ended, and praise now flows out without hindrance. "Praise ye the Lord" is the language at the beginning and the end of Psalm 135.
"Worthy of homage and of praise;
Worthy by all to be adored:
Exhaustless theme of heavenly lays,
Thou, Thou art worthy, Jesus, Lord,"
is the song of the Christian pilgrim as he journeys toward the heavenly Jerusalem.
In verse 4 we are reminded of the sovereign, free choice of God; He hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, Israel for His peculiar treasure. God is great, above all gods (verse 5), and this has been observed in His ordering of the heavens and the earth (verses 6, 7), and in what He did to Egypt (verses 8, 9), and to the nations in and near the land which He designed for an inheritance for Israel (verses 10- 12 ) .
Verse 13 is from Exodus 3: 15, where God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush and directed him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.
Verse 14 is from Deuteronomy 32:36,36For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. (Deuteronomy 32:36) a part of Moses' prophetic song about Israel, in which he told them what should be their history. When ruined and undone, God would assuredly come to their help, and would set them back in His favor. And this, presently He will do.
Israel plunged into idolatry in Old Testament days, and more deeply will they do it in the future, but when delivered by God's sovereign mercy, they will think of the idols according to verses 15-17. They that make idols and confide in them are like them. Can we add that they who trust in the only true God and His beloved Son, grow in likeness to the Lord? It should be so.
Psalm 136 sings the great refrain, "His mercy (or loving kindness) endureth for ever." This expression is in each of the twenty-six verses. Each verse exalts Jehovah: "He is good" (verse 1); “He is the God of gods," and "Lord of lords" (verses 2, 3).
Verses 4 to 9 tell His creation glory, and verses 10 to 22 His acts on behalf of. Israel and against their enemies, while verses 23, 24 refer to the later history of the people.
Every verse is significant, but these last verses are very precious. He hath remembered us in our low estate, delivered us, gives food to all for His loving kindness endureth forever,—setting forth the amazing love, grace and mercy of our Saviour God who has freed the confessed sinner from the slavery of Satan, and made the fullest, richest provision for his case for all eternity. Here again, then, Israel and the Church can join in a song of redemption.
Messages of God’s Love 1/17/1932