There’s a land unseen by our mortal eyes, And its joys no tongue can tell;
Where in robes of white, in its vales of light, We shall meet, and forever dwell.
O Eden, dear Eden, Home bright and fair,
Soon our bark will land on thy golden stand, And our rest will be glorious there.
Friday, February 27, 2004
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever."
~ Psalm 136:1 ~
I read this psalm this morning. This is a fascinating psalm, especially because each and every verse ends with the words "For His mercy endures forever." Two themes run through the psalm: the theme of thanksgiving and the theme of God's mercy.
The psalm begins and ends with thanksgiving. Specifically thanksgiving to God for who He is. Oftentimes we are thankful to God for the things He has done, and we sing, "To God be the glory, great things He has done"; and rightfully so. But we musn't forget to thank God simply for who He is, even as the Psalmist began and closed this psalm:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
(vv. 1-3, 26)
It is hard not to notice the wonder experienced by the psalmist. He has meditated on the nature of God and on the works of God that this psalm sprung from his soul in joyous cries of "Oh, give thanks tothe Lord... His mercy endures forever". Lord, help us too to be so filled with thoughts of You that we experience for ourselves the wonder of knowing You.
For His mercy endures forever."
~ Psalm 136:1 ~
I read this psalm this morning. This is a fascinating psalm, especially because each and every verse ends with the words "For His mercy endures forever." Two themes run through the psalm: the theme of thanksgiving and the theme of God's mercy.
The psalm begins and ends with thanksgiving. Specifically thanksgiving to God for who He is. Oftentimes we are thankful to God for the things He has done, and we sing, "To God be the glory, great things He has done"; and rightfully so. But we musn't forget to thank God simply for who He is, even as the Psalmist began and closed this psalm:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
(vv. 1-3, 26)
It is hard not to notice the wonder experienced by the psalmist. He has meditated on the nature of God and on the works of God that this psalm sprung from his soul in joyous cries of "Oh, give thanks tothe Lord... His mercy endures forever". Lord, help us too to be so filled with thoughts of You that we experience for ourselves the wonder of knowing You.
The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 ~
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 ~
