For Forever is His Love (Psalm 136)

Psalm 136 – For Forever is His Love

I came across this Psalm in my Hebrew Bible and noticed it because the repetition of that phrase at the end of every single verse.  It lines up quite nicely, and is a refreshingly different Psalm to reflect on.  Spurgeon in Treasure of Scripture Knowledge noted that this Psalm is almost identical to the one before it, Psalm 135, except for the refrain “His love is forever.”  The assumption is that it was re-worded so the Levites could loudly proclaim the first part, and the congregation could respond to every single line.  What an amazing sight it would have been!

Psalm 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NAS)

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. (NIV)

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  (NLT) 

  ^WTT Psalm 136:1 הוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה כִּי־ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃

Wow!  What a variety of different ways to say the exact same thing!  Before building a theology of love though, lets take a look at some underlying Hebrew.  The same phrase is repeated after every single proclamation of what the Redeemer of Israel has done for his chosen people Israel, so it might be worth taking a closer look at.

For 

This word implies the phrase before results in the phrase after.  In verse one, we are called to praise the Lord for he is good, because or since his love endures forever. 

Forever

This is a phrase seen consistently throughout Hebrew.  Here there is a preposition before it, meaning “for” or “unto.”  Combine the two = “for forever” or “unto forever” or “everlasting.” 

Is 

This word isn’t there, but is implied.  Hebrew does that occasionally!  Word for word, this reads “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love: for-forever.”  This is how there is a variety of ways to say the same thing, because of this verb-less clause.  Endures is a good translation, as long as you realize it’s not there but implied.

  

His love

The “his” is obvious – it is the covenantal love of God Almighty, Redeemer of Israel.  The overlooked part, however, is that this word brings such a heavy wealth of theology to the table all wrapped up in the word “love.”   It brings to mind every single promise God ever made, and the legacy of the covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  

חֶסֶד (HES-ed)

God’s “compassion” or “great mercy” is shown to us in light of his covenantal promises (Deut. 13.17).  Although God abandoned his people briefly, it is with great compassion that he brings them back (Isaiah 54.7) and it is his lovingkindness and his truth that preserves us (Ps 40:11), because his compassions never fail. (Lam. 3:22)   Indeed, as the scripture says, the Lord is gracious and compassionate. (2Ch 30:9)

This word appears occasionally throughout scripture, but is always a joy to stumble across – for it immediately brings a broader theological context to every passage.  In this passage specifically, Psalm 136, it brings to the table the eternality of God’s love in light of his accomplishments in delivering Israel.  He promised he would deliver them, and he did.  The Psalm is a call to remember God keeps his promises, and gives specific ways of how he has. 
 

In light of every single thing God has done… His eternal covenantal love he freely gives to his people extends from before time began to after time ends.