When we see something repeated in the Bible it usually means that it is important. And when the Bible says the same thing three times, we really need to take notice. But what are we to make of a chapter in the Bible that repeats something 26 times? Yes – Psalm 136 has 26 verses and each verse ends with the same phrase – His love endures forever (New International Version). In the New King James Version this phrase is translated His mercy endures forever.
The psalmist begins verse 1 and ends in verse 26 with a shout of thanksgiving to God for his love and mercy which endures forever. And for the other 24 verses the psalmist shares the greatness and awesomeness of God though His acts of creation, His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and His leading His people throughout their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
There are so many wonderful attributes of God, from His faithfulness and holiness, to his longsuffering and desire to forgive. But I am so grateful that the psalmist chose to focus in this magnificent Psalm on His attribute of love and mercy.
When we think deeply about the love of God there is just no chapter in the entire Bible that emphasizes God’s love more than Psalm 136. It is absolutely breathtaking to read that God’s love endures forever in 26 consecutive verses. How can we not fall in love with a God who loves us this much! Not only that, but God loves us even when we had no love for Him. We read in (Romans 5:8): “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I don’t know about you but for many years I wouldn’t give God the time of day but He never stopped pursuing and loving me.
I can’t even begin to fathom that God loved me so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die on Calvary’s cross and pay the price for my sins so that I could enter into a relationship with Him; and a relationship that will last forever. I believe that the least we can do for God, for this awesome demonstration of love, is to offer Him our highest praise and thanksgiving each and every day; for He indeed is so good!