ASTRONOMICAL LOVE – 2-9-2025 – Psalm 136

This Psalm's responsive refrain is echoed 26 times. With every verse we are reminded and called to confess:" His (Yahweh's steadfast love endures forever". Perhaps the most obvious message from Ps 136 is ironically the most often discounted: the relationship between the sovereignty of God demonstrated in His awesome acts and His eternal steadfast love. How is it that the cosmic order of creation, the terrifying judgments of Egypt, or the conquering of nations demonstrate the love of God? Despite our modem sensibilities, the author expects the singer/reader to resonate with these citations as proof of Yahweh's loving character. Viewing this song from the perspective of Israel's Old Testament experience is helpful in making sense of these connections. With the song's introductory three verses we note the 'God of Gods & Lord of Lords' references providing a helpful parallel from Deuteronomy 10:17. Here Moses issues a call to worship and fear given the revelation that the owner of earth & heaven has so loved His chosen people that He has exercised His sovereign power on their behalf in delivering them from bondage and multiplying their numbers. Thematic divisions for the remainder of the song are supplied from the text itself as the Psalmist provides a summarizing refrain in chiastic conclusion. Taking the closing themes in reverse order we have our outline for Psalm 136.