Call and Response

Psalm 136
1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

By the time you finish reading this psalm, the phrase “for his steadfast love endures forever” is still ringing in your ears, and that is appropriate. This prayer was (is) most likely a worship tool and was used as a call and response between the priest and the people. And what more wonderful phrase to have ringing through your brain than “His steadfast love endures forever”?

The refrain, “His love endures forever,” expresses the theme of the psalm. The word that is translated “love” is not the general Hebrew word for love. It is a word that has the connotation of undeserved love and mercy, and it often refers to deeds of love and mercy that are a fulfillment of a covenant. The psalm summarizes the Lord’s covenant faithfulness to his people and calls upon them to praise him for his loving deeds.
Brug, J. F. ©1989. Psalms 73–150 9pp. 243–244). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.

What if that was our natural response every time we heard about something good happening in the lives of the people around us?

Mom, I got an ‘A’ on my math test today – for His steadfast love endures forever
We’re pleased to tell you that you got the job – for His steadfast love endures forever
Your cancer screening came back clear – for His steadfast love endures forever
Today, we celebrate 40 years of marriage – for His steadfast love endures forever

You get the idea. What if we saw the hand of God upon every aspect of our lives and gave Him glory for it all? It would transform our attitudes, our actions, and our relationships. So, give it a try. You may not actually let the words pass your lips (although that may be a great idea too) but let that phrase ring through your mind as the events of your day unfold. There are so many things that deserve to be acknowledged as God’s blessings, providence, and provision. Maybe we give Him the glory too.

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