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Sermon Notes - “Psalms – Ancient Prayers for Unprecedented Times! - Psalm 136”

Psalm 136 – The Great Hallel

Psalm 113-118- The Hallel Psalms

Hallel – Praise Hallelujah is “Praise Yahweh”

Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

The Psalm reminds us, releases us and gives us reason for give thanks and praise. These are essential exercises for the soul.

Vs. 1 … because He is good,

… because His khesed endures forever.

Khesed – mercy, compassion, love, grace, faithfulness, loving kindness, steadfast love, unfailing love, loyal love …

3 dimensions of divine love are revealed in “khesed”

- Love that mercies - the undeserving, the unlovable

- Love that does - moves from sentiment to action,

- Love that lasts – loyal, faithful to His promises love,

Exodus 34 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

The rest of this psalm crescendos this refrain!

The Lord’s khesed revealed in creation! (vs.4-9)

4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His khesed endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His khesed endures forever. 7 who made the great lights— His khesed endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His khesed endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His khesed endures forever.

From mighty (khesed) acts of creation He moves to mighty (khesed) acts of salvation!

vs. 10-22

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His khesed endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His khesed endures forever. 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His khesed endures forever. 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His khesed endures forever. 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His khesed endures forever. 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His khesed endures forever.

vs. 23-26 (because the psalmist just can’t stop)

23 He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. 24 and freed us from our enemies. His khesed endures forever. 25 He gives food to every creature. His khesed endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His khesed endures forever.

The unmistakable and powerful refrain … His khesed endures forever.

Refrain – the lyric that stays after the song has left the room.

Do I live life with “His khesed endures forever” as my refrain? (When people encounter me is “His love endures forever” the refrain that lingers in their heart and mind?)

Psalm 136 invites me to become a psalmist …… I already have the refrain.

-This is a wonderful and helpful exercise.

- Sometimes it is helpful to break your life down in age categories (childhood, teenage years, young adult, etc.) or other categories (parent, child, occupation) and write some memory statements with the refrain “His khesed endures forever.

Jesus is “khesed” in the person … God’s refrain for eternity.

Homework: Read and pray Psalm 136 every day this week! (Hint: Follow the reading schedule in the notes below.) Become a psalmist by building a psalm verse by verse each recounting some reference to your life then ending each verse with “His love (khesed) endures forever.

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Join in through Facebook Live or go to www.pog.church/live to view.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

These resources which will help you “Pray Psalm 136” this week.

The Scripture Reading schedule for this week is somewhat unique. Our goal is to meditate on Psalm 136 complemented with some of the other Hallel Psalms all week. I encourage you to read the designated Psalm every day and then take some additional focus time to reread and meditate on just a few verses each day. Repetition is your friend. Remember you are not necessarily looking for new information from the Psalm once you understand it. Repeatedly returning to the Psalm each day allows the Holy Spirit to use the Psalm to minister to you, to speak to you, to reveal you to you, and God to you. These Psalms are a great opportunity to begin journaling if you do not. Making written note of what God brings to your mind is a great way to begin journaling. I don’t do it every day but it is always a blessing when I do. If the schedule below is helpful, great, use it. If not, then work through the Psalm at your own pace. This week in particular compliment your journaling by becoming a psalmist. In the message and earlier in these notes I make some suggestions about how to do this. Here is an example from me recounting “khesed” moments from my life.

When in college I was in despair over going years without a girlfriend and met my future wife …. His Khesed endures forever!

When our 14-year-old son received a 95% confirmed diagnoses for testicular cancer and after surgery tests concluded He had been healed …. His Khesed endures forever.

When my family suffered the violent and criminal loss of my grandfather ….His khesed endures forever.

You get the idea!

Mon – Psalm 136… with a special emphasis on vs. 1-3 Tue – Psalm 136 … with a special emphasis on vs. 4-9 Wed – Psalm 136 … with a special emphasis on vs. 10-22 Thu – Psalm 136 … with a special emphasis on vs. 23-26 Fri – Psalm 113 Sat - Psalm 118

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Recommended Titles and Resources

Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller excellent daily devotional based on the Psalms

“Soul-keeping: Caring for the most important part of you.” – John Ortberg

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Check out bibleproject.com. Look for their videos on the Psalms.

The “One Minute Pause” App by Ransomed Heart (use is multiple times every day)

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)