Psalm 136 reminds me of a time when I managed restaurants. Many of our waitresses were single-moms that worked two jobs to make ends meet. One particular night we had a very large party and one young lady served them for her entire shift. She came to me in tears afterwards, explaining they had not left her any tip at all, meaning she worked the entire night for nothing. She literally didn’t have enough money to even pay her babysitter. I paid her out of petty cash, but what she did not know was that I reimbursed that money. It was money that I did not have either, but I knew her need was greater than mine. The following week one of the snot-nosed teenagers came to my office demanding to be paid for a table that “stiffed her” just like I did for the other girl. This kid was my problem child, always undermining my authority. I was furious and in my anger I shouted, “I paid that money out of my own pocket!” She left in silence. This psalm is a responsive hymn, the first line sung by the Priest, and the response given by the people. The people have one line that is repeated over and over. I know one thing, when the Bible repeats something, it is important. It begins, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good“. The people respond, “His love endures forever“. We use the word “love” to describe everything from our favorite food to our dear spouse. This word could be translated “God’s tender mercy“. This is a deliberate, premeditated and costly action word. It implies much more than a compassionate feeling. Do you feel like you have been stiffed lately?
The song continues, “Give thanks to the God of gods… Give thanks to the Lord of lords… Who alone does great wonders… by His understanding made the heavens… Who spread out the earth upon the waters… Who made the great lights“. Each line is followed by, “His love endures forever“. God shows His tender mercy in the great things and in the small things. As we read through this psalm, we notice the writer begins to reveal that God, the CEO of the universe, is also intensely focused on the nations, His people and each of us individually. “Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt… and brought Israel out from among them… with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.” There is a big difference between knowing “the Man upstairs” and God as your Heavenly Father. I believe there must be a point of recognition that makes His tender mercy personal. It is given for you.
The psalm continues, listing God’s personal interaction, “Who divided the Red Sea… Who led His people through the desert… Who struck down great kings… and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever“. What about us today? “To the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever“. There is more to the story of the restaurant. The encounter with my self-centered waitress became a turning point. She became my defender and ally. She no longer saw me as a distant outsider. She told the others what I had done and that changed my relationship with the entire staff. The psalm concludes, that God “freed us from our enemies… and gives food to every creature“. Please allow me to give you this tip; God loves you enough to pay the debt that you cannot. I hope that Matthew 7:11 puts this story in perspective; “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts… how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Philippians 2:8 explains Jesus paid it out of His own body. “He humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord“. Believing this can change everything. “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever“. Some things are worth repeating.