INTRODUCTION:

I write this in early October, 2014. My heart is already thinking about the soon-coming Thanksgiving Season. And I searched for a Psalm of Thanksgiving to coincide with my feelings. What Old Testament Portion of Scripture is "heavy" with thanksgiving to God?

My search ended at Psalm 136. Not long, only 26 verses, but full of thanks, for sure! Let me share it with you, from the beautiful King James Version.

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: and brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: and slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: and Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: and gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: and hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Amen!

If I've counted correctly, 4 times the Psalm specifically instructs us to give "thanks" unto the Lord!

But even more dramatically, 26 times the Psalm mentions God's "mercy!" Apparently, His Mercy is the reason why we must give thanks!

It should be a thrilling journey, through each verse of Psalm 136. Join us each morning if you can.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 1, HOW THE PSALM IS APPLIED ELSEWHERE:

When studying any Old Testament Passage of Scripture, it can be quite helpful to see if it's quoted anywhere else in the Bible. If so, you have been given a "hint" on how to appropriate the Text you're analyzing.

Well, Psalm 136 is quoted elsewhere. Even in the Old Testament, during the reign of King Solomon onward. This fact alone proves that the Psalm is written early in Israel's history. During the life of David, if not before that. By the way, the Psalm itself is anonymous. No author's name is given at all. We just then say "the Holy Spirit" chose it to be this way.

The very day Solomon, King of Peace (Israel fought not a single war during this man's 40 year reign), dedicated the Temple, Psalm 136 was used, in part. "And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." Second Chronicles 7:3, with the Psalm 136 "quote" capitalized.

Then again three verses later. "And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood." This almost says the Psalm is Davidic!

Again later in the Old Testament Psalm 136 is quoted, its refrain anyway. King Jehoshaphat's army "sang" the Psalm as they entered battle! "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever." They sang their way to victory, praising the Lord, Second Chronicles 20:21.

There's also a possibility that this magnificent Psalm was written for the expressed purpose of being sung by the Levites, their choir, in regular public worship! What a hymn it is! I base my conclusion on First Chronicles 16:41-42. "And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever; and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God.

This is unusual, this tracing of Psalm 136 and its influence on Old Testament practice. As far as I can tell the Psalm is not quoted at all in the New Testament!

But I have found two later appearances of the Psalm in one of the Prophets. Listen to Jeremiah 33:11. "The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord." Wow!

Ezra too, even later in Israel's history. "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." Ezra 3:11, Zerubbabel's Temple being dedicated now.

We shall begin Verse 1 tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. But until then ponder the oft repeated lines of Psalm 136. "O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Amen!

Twenty-six times, "For his mercy endureth for ever."

Praise His Name!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

In one of our upcoming Lessons I'll define the noun "mercy!" That alone will give you "food for thought" the rest of your Christian life! We do serve a Merciful God! "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin ...." Exodus 34:6-7

LESSON 2, THE PSALM'S ORGANIZATION:

One first notices, concerning Psalm 136, that it begins and ends with virtually the same words! Yes, verse 1 and verse 26 are essentially  identical! "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Then, "O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever." Clearly, the "LORD" (verse 1) and the "God of heaven" (verse 26) are One, our great Almighty God!

Then it's apparent that the first three verses of Psalm 136 have "linkage." They express praise to our Triune God, perhaps even indicating Father and Son and Holy Spirit. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever." Wow!

Then the next unit of our Psalm shares six aspects of praise to our Creator. Verses 4 through 9. "To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Then six words of thanksgiving for Israel's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, her liberation from bondage! Verses 10-15. "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." History at its best!

Next the Author adds seven notes of glory about Israel's journey through the wilderness and entrance into Canaan. Verses 16-22. "To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: and Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Wow, what order!

Next are written two pleasant verses of personal thanks for God's endless Mercy. Verses 23 and 24. Each of us can claim these! "Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever." Praise the Lord!

And the great Chapter ends with a note about God's omnipotence and providence, His abundant provision to earth. Verse 25 of course. "Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever." To all flesh!

Lastly, verse 26 seeks to incite eternal gratitude for this awesome God! "O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever."

I thought it might help us to see the "overall" picture before jumping, wading into our verse-by-verse study of the Psalm.

It is truly a recitation and exaltation in God's great Works and Power!

By the way, has God been good to you?

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, VERSE 1:

Verse 1 of Psalm 136 sets the theme. A repetitious theme at that! Yet beautiful. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The King James Bible is translated from a Hebrew manuscript often called the Masoretic Text. In that Document the Verse reads: "Give thanks unto the Lord; for (His) Goodness and (His) Mercy for ever!" I'm no scholar but that's the literal representations of the words.

The Psalm's very first verb, "give thanks," is spelled "yadah." This little word, again in the King James Bible, is translated several different ways. It's "praise" 53 times. "Confess" another 16 times. And "cast" and "cast out" and "shoot" 1 time each! But then ... it's rendered "give thanks" 32 times as well!

You can see the verb has wide latitude of meaning. Just in the King James Version. Its very "heart," its grammatical "root," means "to throw, to hurl," even "to shoot" something.

The verbal picture it brings, in our verse today, is "lobbing, tossing, slinging, directing" ... words of thanks to God! Opening one's mouth and enunciating appreciation and gratitude heavenward to our great God! The verb is an imperative, incidentally. A stark "command" is being given! We are obligated to do this, God Himself says.

The verb in Hebrew is expressed in the "hiphil" stem too. Meaning that there's a "cause" behind the injunction! Why are we to so thank the Lord? Essentially, there exists a "reason" for which we are to thank Him, so diligently and so fervently and so sincerely.

"Because He saved us," comes to mind!

Our whole verse again, "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The "basis" for thanking God here is twofold. Obviously, His "goodness" and then His "mercy."

"Good," translating "tob" or "tov" in Hebrew, just two ways of pronouncing the word, means "pleasant, agreeable, kind, benign, beneficial!" In the King James it is expressed as "merry" 7 times, "fair" 7 times, even "prosperity" 6 times, "precious" 4 times, "wealthy" 3 times, "beautiful" 2 times ... but predominantly "good," 361 times.

"Mercy," which occurs in every one of the Psalm's 26 verses, will be defined as we continue the study. It's one of the central, critical, fundamental themes of the Bible!

Lots of grammar in one little verse. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Most important of all, let's obey it today!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, VERSE 2:

The second Verse in Psalm 136 simply says, "O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever."

What a unique phrase, "the God of gods." I can only find its exact equivalent one other time in the Bible, Daniel 11:36. "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done." This is spoken of the anti-Christ we believe. He "hates" the God of gods. (Now "God of gods," without the limiting article, without "the" before it, is used in 3 other references, 4 other times.)

Who is this "God of gods?" None Other than our Heavenly Father! The only True and Living God. In the Hebrew language one way to form a superlative is to use the formula ______ of _______. As in "Holy of Holies." Or "King of Kings." Or Solomon's "Song of songs!" Each is the BEST in its category, again, superlative!

So, back to Psalm 136:2, to give thanks to the "God of gods" means to praise the GREATEST of all Gods! Here in our King James Bibles the second "gods" is not capitalized because they are many ... and false ... and powerless ... merely idols, these "gods."

The word used for "Mercy" is spelled "hesed" in Hebrew. It is used 248 times in the Old Testament, this noun. Its very "heart" suggests "kindness." The goodness of God, the kindness of God, the "lovingkindness" of Him, a precise term used 26 times in the Bible, again King James.

"For ever" is derived grammatically via "le" plus "olam" in Hebrew. Meaning "to, towards" and the noun for "futurity, antiquity, long duration, perpetuity." It's root (that of "olam") means "secret, something hidden." God's Mercy will last "???." No one knows because it is "eternal!" One source says "olam" also suggests a "vanishing point." God's Mercy lives so far up the road that no one can see its "end!"

"O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever." Wow, what a verse! Of course as we saw two lessons ago, verses 1-3 of Psalm 136 form a "trio" of sorts. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever." It may be that the Trinity is being suggested here!

Our Triune God, thanks be unto Him today!

And every day!

I really think Hebrews 13:15 may be appropriate here today. "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Amen.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, VERSE 3:

Four times the 136th Psalm speaks of "giving thanks" unto the Lord. That's one of several reasons I wanted to study it with you all during this time of year. A few weeks before the Thanksgiving Holiday.

As far as I can tell then, Psalm 136 is the "leader" among its brethren (the 150 Psalms in the entire Psalter, the whole Book) when it comes to expressing "thanks" to our great God! No other Psalm has 4 such admonitions.

Today the 3rd verse is our focus. "O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever." The term "the Lord of lords" is somewhat parallel, called an appositive, to "the God of gods" used back in verse 2. As "the Lord of lords," including that important introductory "the," our verse today is the Bible's only location for such an exalted expression. Without "the," our "God of gods" appellation is found 4 times, twice in the Old Testament and then twice in the New.

He is the "Lord" of all lords and masters and leaders!

He is also "God" of all so-called gods and goddesses!

He is supreme!

He is over all!

And remember "give thanks," in Hebrew "yadah," means "to throw or shoot or hurl" words of praise Heavenward! Like shooting arrows of appreciation to the God you love!

Again today's verse: "O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The now (having reached verse 3) three-fold command to express such thanks is such that it screams for more attention. Worded so closely, Psalm 136:1-3, yet so carefully nuanced. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever."

As many have said, there's surely evidence here for a trinitarian approach to the paragraph. Triune (three-fold) thanks and praise given to a Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)!

But how so?

I think "God of gods" must speak of the Father.

And "Lord of lords" of the Son, of Jesus.

But that only leaves the "Lord," the One Who is "Good," to rename the Holy Spirit! But folks, He is indeed good! Here's Paul's nine-fold description of the Holy Spirit's Character, "love and joy and peace and longsuffering and gentleness and GOODNESS and faith and meekness and temperance!" Galatians 5:22-23 is my source here.

What an exhortation to thanks!

Tomorrow we'll journey to verse 4, Lord willing.

But one more time, note this opening paragraph. In fact, let's try to memorize it if we can. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Amen!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, VERSE 4:

For the next few verses, 4-9 to be exact, Psalm 136 thanks God for creation itself. "To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever." This is beautiful poetry!

Great wonders!

Displaying Wisdom!

Stretching out the earth!

Made the sun!

And the moon!

What a list!

But let's look specifically at verse 4 today. Since we're considering the whole Psalm in order.

"To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:4, where the first question surely must be ... "what" is to be given "to Him?"

And the answer is "thanks!"

Remember verses 1-3 please. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Then immediately after that three-fold command to give God thanks ... comes verse 4, today's text. Thanks ... "to him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever."

But what are "great wonders?"

In Hebrew the term is expressed this way, "gadol pala." In my country way of explaining these words, "great big, giant, miracles!" Or "massively huge hard things to perform!"

Yes, "pala" most of its 71 times in the Bible means "wondrous" or even "marvelous" ... but 5 times it is rendered "hard" things!

Look at creation!

Does it not put you into a state of amazing awe?

Paul said this in Romans 1:20. "For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead." Wow!

God's "fingerprints" in the Heavens!

On the earth!

Everywhere!

The more I learn about creation, even outer space, the more I am amazed! The more I adore the Lord!

Let's all thank Him, magnify him, exalt Him, worship Him today ... because of His innumerably "great wonders!"

By the way, "doeth" translates "asah" in Hebrew, "accomplishing, making, fashioning," suggesting "ongoing" action! He is still doing these great wonders!

Maybe every "sunrise?"

Maybe with every "shooting star?"

Maybe with every "sunspot?"

Maybe with every "beat" of our hearts?

This song is right, when addressed to the Creator: "How Great Thou Art!"

I stand amazed.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

God indeed did some "hard" things when He created the universe! Things atheistic scientists today cannot replicate! And never will.

LESSON 7, VERSE 5:

A new facet of Truth surfaces today, from Psalm 136. Where verses 4-9 thank God for His Ability to create! Read with me verse 5. "To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever." The verb "to give thanks" is implied.

The little verb "made" continues to be "asah" in Hebrew. "To do, to fashion, to accomplish, to produce," hence "to make." God is the Craftsman, the Architect, the Originator of all the universe!

Thanks be unto Him!

For air to breath, a place to live, for everything! "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17

But how did God make the world?

Our verse again, "By wisdom (He) made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The noun "wisdom" here is critical. "Tabun," in Hebrew, means "understanding, intelligence, discretion, the ability to reason." It also can imply, of course, "skill." It derives from "biyn," a root verb meaning "to discern." To see "levels of meaning" and "degrees of significance" in any issue or matter of life!

The verse suggests that one can study any aspect of creation, and get a glimpse of the handiwork of Almighty God! Looking into His Mind! Gazing at His marvelous Work!

In other words, the creation reflects the Creator!

We know that God is "Wise," but more. He is all-wise! "Omniscient" is the word I need. For example, "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether." Psalm 139:1-4

Add Proverbs 15:3. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

Wow!

This great Intelligence, this incomparable Wisdom, this ineffable God ... made the heavens (and earth). No wonder there is more that "science" does not know, than it does know!

Paul was right in Romans 11:33. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

Amen!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I'm listening to a Book this week about 13 things physics does NOT understand yet ... and may never completely comprehend! Yes, there are limits to human knowledge!

LESSON 8, VERSE 6:

God is creating the earth, in Psalm 136. And the writer describes His moves, in detail. Today, Psalm 136:6 says: "To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Why does the line begin with "to Him?" Because the "context" of the Psalm is teaching us to "give thanks" to the Lord. Praise is to be offered "to him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The underlying "basis" for all this praise and gratitude is God's inherent "Mercy." Which never ends!

But for now I want us to note what God "did" in this verse, in the overall act of creating earth, the heavens too. Specifically He "stretched out the earth above the waters."

That's exactly the way Moses recorded it too, back in Genesis chapter one. For example, Genesis 1:6. "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." Then Genesis 1:7. "And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so." Then Genesis 1:9, the land appears!. "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so." Then a summary statement, Genesis 1:10. "And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."

Isaiah agrees. "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein ...." Isaiah 42:5

The Psalm 136:6 verb "stretched out" is spelled "raqa" in Hebrew. It once means "to make broad." It's almost as if God "hung" the great objects of creation in place!

Jeremiah adds this: "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee." Jeremiah 32:17

This great poetic yet accurate picture of God's Creation Work has the Lord "piling up" the land, the earth, "out of" the seas, the oceans, the waters. Then He "stomps, beats down" (the central meaning for "raqa") the land masses, creating what we might call the "terrain." That's the essence of our verse, "To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:6

This great God is thus to be ... thanked!

Praised!

Adored!

Worshipped!

It's worth a few seconds reading the whole Psalm, as studied thus far anyway. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Wow!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

This really is a Psalm of Thanksgiving!

LESSON 9, VERSES 7-9:

God also created the sun, moon and stars! Here's how Psalm 136:7-9 describes His miraculous celestial Act. "To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever."

"Made" translates the Hebrew verb "asah" again. It's used 2,633 times in the Old Testament! Meaning "to fashion, accomplish, do," hence "make" something.

"Lights" is derived from a root verb simply meaning "to shine." God made the great lights, an act of His Mercy! Without the sun and moon ... life could not exist. None of us would be on earth.

These lights are then named.

The "sun" is "shemesh" in Hebrew, from an unused word meaning "to be brilliant!" Tomorrow I want to share with you some facts about the sun God created. It's an amazing star!

The "moon" is included too. "Yareach" in Hebrew, probably meaning "monthly" or something like that. I also plan to take a Lesson and dedicate it to the moon, learning about that fairly near-by "satellite" of our planet.

And like Genesis 1:16 says, "He made the stars also." This is one of the most miraculous facts of all time!

Here in Psalm 136 "stars" translates "kokab," from a word meaning "blazing!" As the stars really do! I think we'll have another Lesson on them too, the innumerable stars in the universe. "Fingerprints" of Almighty God!

Thanks be to God ... "To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever."

One last thing this morning, let's study the verb "rule," used twice in our Text. The sun "rules" the day and the moon and stars "rule" the night! It's spelled "memshalah." It means "to have dominion, to govern." To preside, maybe? This verb is derived from "mashal" the very source for the Old Testament noun "proverb!" Maxims to rule our lives!

By the way, in Psalm 19 the actual "sun" is pictured as a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Bridegroom. Literal orbs of celestial reality ... each typifying some spiritual truth!

Again, more tomorrow.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, VERSE 8, THE SUN:

Yes, let me print verse 8 again, where God made "the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever." All of Psalm 136 of course is our focus, where God's "Mercy" is the predominant theme.

I just thought, "How is the sun related to God's Mercy?" Then I just remembered, "Without the sun, I could have never lived. Neither could you! And we do exist, as a direct result of God's Goodness, Mercy, and Love!"

Thanks be unto God!

As we discussed yesterday, I'd like to share a few facts about God's Handiwork today, particularly "our" star, earth's source of light and warmth, the "sun."

It's at the center of our solar system. "Sol" even being the Latin name for "sun!" Around one million earths could fit inside this giant! The "surface" of the sun is 11,990 times bigger than that of earth. It is a giant! Much, much larger than even Jupiter, our most massive planet.

The sun is almost a perfect sphere! Surprising since it's a ball of gas! From one of its poles to the other, it is completely round, there being only about a 6 mile difference!

Light from the sun takes 8 minutes to reach earth! That's with light traveling 136 miles per second! So it's about 93,000,000 miles away. Nearly a neighbor with God's universe being the size it is!

And the sun is so big it contains 99.8% of all the mass (matter) in our whole solar system, all the way to Pluto! This is astounding!

The sun actually is a giant nuclear explosion, implosion maybe I should say! It does radiate potentially harmful rays too!

Solar winds, magnetic nuclear explosions belching into space from this majestic star ... travel up to 300 miles a second!

And did I say, the sun is HOT?

In the Bible the "sun" is often mentioned as well. I find the word 160 times in Scripture. Most often appearing in the Book of Ecclesiastes!

Psalm 19 pictures the sun as a "bridegroom" going to run a race! I think Jesus is in mind here, our Heavenly Bridegroom! There again we're reminded that God made the heavens, and ... "In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." Lovely!

In Malachi the sun is again typified as Christ, in His Second Coming! "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Micah 4:2

And Oh, what beauty God has "painted" into the sun! As it "rises" and "sets" every day! Truly, likely with the sun in mind, David wrote "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." God's Handiwork!

Amen!

Next time the sun gets "in your eyes" ... worship the God Who made it! And thank Him for His eternal Mercy!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever."

What a Psalm!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, VERSE 9, THE MOON:

The 9th verse of Psalm 136 barely mentions the "moon." In the King James Version, "The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Really, in context, the fact of creation is being emphasized in this whole introductory paragraph. "O give thanks unto the Lord ... to him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136, verses 4-9 inclusively.

Why I feel compelled to tell you about the moon, I don't know. Astronomy has always interested me. It is another grand display of God's Power and Wisdom and love of Beauty.

The moon is on average 238,000 miles from earth! It's 6,700 miles around in circumference at its equator.

The moon is our earth's only "satellite." It encircles our planet every 27.3 days, thus every "month."

It is responsible for the "tides" of the oceans. The oceans rise and fall because of the gravitational "pull" of the moon on earth.

There is one side of the moon that we've never seen, us earthbound humans. It is always on "the other side" to our vision. This means that the moon rotates on its axis at a speed that matches our earth's daily revolution.

A human on the moon would weigh about 1/6 of his or her earthly weight! A 200 pound man, about 12 pounds!

So far, only 12 people, all men, have ever visited the moon, walking on it! They learned that the moon has virtually no "atmosphere." Its skies are always black and no sound is ever heard there! Neither is it protected from dangerous cosmic rays that our atmosphere filters every minute!

And just like "earthquakes" exist, so do "moonquakes!" Many more than earth experiences, so far anyway!

The moon is the 5th largest one ("satellite") in our solar system. Still it's much smaller than the moon of, say, Jupiter and Saturn.

In the Bible the moon is mentioned 51 times. From Genesis (only 1 time) to Revelation (4 times). The Book of Psalms holds the record, 9 times there. Jesus Himself mentioned it three times in the Gospels. Though 2 of those are "parallel."

Next time the moon is clearly visible in your area, notice it. Then remember Who made it! And why He did so! "The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever."

What a God we serve!

Thank the Lord ... for the moon!

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, VERSE 9 AGAIN, THE STARS:

The stars, countless as they are, receive very little recognition in Psalm 136, though one of its lovely paragraphs clearly "highlights" God's creation of heaven and earth.

Here's the proof: "The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:9, "stars to rule by night." That's all we're told!

In fact, the Book of Genesis  says very little about the stars' origins. "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." Genesis 1:16

The "stars" received little notice! "He (God) made the stars also!"

Talk about an understatement!

Nonetheless, we are to "thank" God because He gave us the stars. They do play a role in life as we know it. As God designed it. And somehow the stars are among the many facets of life that reveal God's Mercy!

Psalm 136 thus says: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. (Thanks) to Him that made the moon and stars...."

A star is a massive, bright ball of fire! Extremely hot gas called plasma, which is held together by its own gravity.

Stars emit energy created by a "nuclear reaction" called fusion. In the star's core hydrogen literally "burns" into helium! Eventually the helium will even change into heavier elements. Like carbon and oxygen we believe.

There may be 400,000,000,000 stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone! And the universe contains well over 100,000,000,00 galaxies! Yes indeed, "He made the stars also." (Billions, folks!)

And some scientists estimate 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars may exist! That's 300 sextillion, I am told.

When a star burns away all its fuel, it explodes into a "supernova." And some astronomers now think strong supernova can become what's called "black holes!" Swirling vortexes so powerful that they "suck" into themselves anything nearby, including "light!"

If so, God is still the Author!

The nearest star to us is Alpha Centauri, about 4.3 light years away! If it went "dark" today, we would not know about it for 4 more years. It would take its last beam of light that long to reach us! With that light traveling 136,000 miles per second!

God created a huge universe!

He is a big God!

The Hebrew noun for "star" is "kokab," derived either from a root word meaning "to heap up," or a similar verb,  "to blaze!" The Greek "star" is "aster," as in astronomical! It is built upon a verb meaning "to be strewn out!" Furnished, as if decorating a house!

Maybe God "garnished" the heavens with stars! See Job 26:13. "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." The "crooked serpent" apparently meaning a "constellation" of stars!

Look at them tonight, Those you can see. After your eyes become "adjusted" you will be able to see only 4,000 to 5,000 stars. God obviously has made beauty we humans will never behold! Like the prolific wild flowers blooming in the wilderness!

These facts make me want to adore and worship and love my God more than ever! Does anyone agree?

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, VERSE 10, THE TENTH PLAGUE:

There's a whole paragraph in Psalm 136 devoted to a brief history of God's deliverance of His people, Israel, from the hands of Egypt, from slavery. Six verses, in fact!

Here they are. "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." Verses 10-15 inclusively.

The Holy Spirit, in poetic form, here begins with the tenth plague. Nine are unmentioned, but of course precede the last and most devastating one.

The ten plagues! First, all Egypt's water "turned" into blood! Next, frogs infested the land! Frogs everywhere, abundantly so! Then lice, the dust there having become lice, miraculous!

Number four, swarms of flies! Then all their cattle, diseased, "murrain." Next, "boils" or sores on all mankind! Followed by "hail," stormy weather like never before, "hail mingled with fire" in fact. Then a deluge of destructive locusts followed by an unbearable "darkness" everywhere! Three uninterrupted days and "nights!" a "darkness" that could be "felt!"

Still, Pharaoh would not let the Jewish people enjoy freedom, would not "let them go" from Egypt! So, back to Psalm 136, "God smote Egypt in their firstborn." Short but accurate verse 10.

Obviously, God is merely hitting the "highlights." No telling how many "sons" died that night! "Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more." Exodus 10:4-6

To avoid such widespread, invasive death, the Israelites were to sacrifice a little lamb, one per household, and apply its blood on their doorposts! A "picture" of Jesus God's Son shedding His Blood to give anyone who believes "eternal life." Sparing us from death!

Yes, Psalm 136:10 is right to associate God's "Mercy" with the tenth plague! "Give thanks ... to Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for His Mercy endureth for ever." Amen!

The verb "smote" is "nakah," literally "to strike, to hit," hence "to kill!" And God, through His angel, is the One Who ministers this Woe! The "firstborn" (in Hebrew "bekor") is targeted as the Heir of a "double portion" of a father's name and fame and property!

The "Gospel" in the tenth plague!

Typically speaking, why would God do such a thing ... for us? Why would God "give His Only Begotten Son," give "His Little Lamb" for us? Why is John 3:16 the absolute truth? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Because of His tender Mercy, His everlasting Mercy! Spelled "Hesed" in Hebrew, used 248 times in the Bible, the Old Testament. Rendered in the King James Version "mercy" 149 of those times. And as "merciful" 4 more times. Then it's translated as "kindness" or "lovingkindness" 70 more times! "Goodness" 12 or 13 times! You get the idea, I'm sure.

God saved us out of His unending GRACE! Paul later would say it best. "For by grace are ye saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

Amen!

Death for those who rebel and disbelieve.

Life through the Blood, for those who trust God's Word, acting upon It as a result. The Blood applied!

Today's Verse, Psalm 136:10 once more. "To Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for His Mercy endureth for ever."

This whole Story, fact or fiction?

History or fable?

Fact!

History!

Reality!

Are you saved?

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Jesus in John 5:24, telling folks how to be saved!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, VERSE 11, "BROUGHT OUT:"

Psalm 136 unfolds an amazing list of God's great acts! From Creation to His Protection of His people, all of which are based on our Lord's great Mercy. Lately we've noticed how God delivered the Jews from Egypt. "Giving thanks" is implied before each verse! "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." Verses 10-15 inclusively, with today's clause completely capitalized, verse 11.

Yes, He indeed brought Israel out of Egypt!

"Out from among them," precisely.

The verb "brought out" is interesting, spelled "yatzsa" in Hebrew. It's very common in Scripture, being used a total of 1,069 times. It is translated "to bring out" (as here) around 20 of those times.

"Yatzsa" is written in Psalm 136:11 as a "causative" verb, implying that there is a "reason" God has done this! Give thanks to Him Who "brought out" Israel from among them, the Egyptians. And what is this reason? The verse tells us, "for His Mercy endureth for ever."

"For His Name's Sake," might be another way of expressing this thought! An exact expression occurring 30 times in the Bible!

He is worthy!

Additionally, I suspected that "brought out" here might be a "passive voice" verb, but it isn't. God is the subject, not Israel! And God "brought" them out! Active voice!

The preposition (to us in English anyway) "among" is "tavek" in Hebrew, simply meaning "in the midst." From the land of Goshen, in other words. That's the area of Egypt where the Jews as a Family lived. "Goshen" means "drawing near!" God led them "away," far away, from the land of "drawing near!"

That's ironic!

And that Same God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, often leads us "away" from places we've "drawn near" as well! As in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Wow!

Oh, how thankful we should be that God so "leads" His children!

This "bringing out" the Psalmist recounts involves a lot of people too! Israel was "counted" not many months hence and she numbered just over 600,00 young men ready to fight in her army! Total population then, at least 2,000,000 most Bible teachers say!

That's a huge "bringing out," folks! "And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Guess what?

God's going to do something like this yet again!

When He returns to get His Own children!

All who are saved!

Paul succinctly words it this way. "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." Word for word, King James Version, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

"Caught up together!"

"Brought out"

Two different "groups" of people!

But the "same" Lord!

How can we respond to these truths any other way? The preamble to Psalm 136 supplies the perfect answer! "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:1-3

Amen!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, VERSE 12, GOD'S HAND AND ARM:

Psalm 136 is telling us "how" God rescued the Jews from Egypt! From the grasp of wicked King Pharaoh. Here's verse 12, "With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Wow!

Poetically, God's "hand" and "arm" have just been mentioned! Never "hands" and "arms," that I can find anyway, in all the Bible! Always singular, His "mighty" Hand or His "high" Hand! Or His "strong" Arm!

Psalm 98:1 gives us a pristine example, one of dozens in Scripture. "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."

The Lord actually, it seems, "helped" Israel out of Egypt! Hosea chapter eleven pictures the scene this way. "When Israel was a child, then I (God is speaking) loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms." Teaching Israel to walk, holding his little hands!

God's "help" in our lives can also be expressed this way! As His using those great Hands and omnipotent Arms to guide us through whatever we might encounter!

So Nehemiah, many years later, can actually claim God's Hand being on him as well! "Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me." Nehemiah 2:18

And Jabez can literally pray to the Lord: "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" Look at the capitalized clause, from First Chronicles 4:10.

In the New Testament Book of Acts, the "Hand of the Lord" is a Source of Strength to his people. "And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." Acts 11:21, "power" on the preaching of the Word!

Once even, in Isaiah 53:1, Jesus is call "The Arm of the Lord!" Or so it looks to me. That whole chapter is about the Saviour!

The Psalmist (here in Psalm 136) did not speak of the "Eyes" of the Lord or the "Feet" of the Lord or even the "Ear" of the Lord. Just His "Hand" and "Arm," for some reason.

Such "physical" expressions are called "anthropomorphisms." What? Descriptions of our great incorporeal God ... expressed in human terms to aid our finite understanding of His ineffable Essence. (To totally see God in human form ... one must look to Jesus! Who is God's "express Image," according to Hebrews 1:3.)

Now back to today's thought, God "rescuing" Israel from Egypt, from the clutches of her enemies. "With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Leaving Egypt behind, Canaan ahead!

So we believe that God's "Strong Hand" and "Stretched out Arm" are still available! Yes! No wonder then that Paul could confidently say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

A college professor I loved, a godly man indeed, used to pray: "Lord, made bare Thy Mighty Arm, help us today." In other words, "roll up Thy sleeves" and assist thy weak servants!

Where did Dr. Henry get such an idea? "The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10

The Psalmist again, in another place, to our God: "Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand." Psalm 89:13

What Help!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, VERSE 13, THE RED SEA:

I never realized how many of the Psalms of Scripture recount the Exodus Story, how God brought His people out of Egypt, out of slavery.

From broad, generalized statements ... all the way down to many of the specific details, God's "mighty works" in freeing His children are made known. Are remembered. Are celebrated.

Today's verse, from Psalm 136, is an example. The Jews are being taught to thank the Lord ... "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever." That's all, and a whole verse too! (Verse 13)

God "divided" the Sea, the Red Sea, in order to extricate the children of Abraham from Pharaoh's mighty hand. The Hebrew verb "divided" is "gazar," meaning "to cut." One source says "to cut into two pieces."

Here's how Exodus records the Miracle. "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left." Exodus 14:21-22

Two heaps, two walls of water ... clearing a "path" through which Israel might march. Dry ground on which to traverse!

How "wide" must have the gap been, between those two mountains of gathered water? An old writer named William Osburn, back in 1850, said (in answer to my question) somewhere between eight and sixteen miles across! Wide enough to get over 2,000,000 people through, in safe time. And broad enough to drown an army when the waters released!

Yes, God can "divide" things!

Our verb today, "gazar" is used only here (in this particular grammatical form) in all Scripture. It is thus unique in its setting! But in all its possible variables (cognates) it occurs several more times!

Solomon once was going to "divide" a little baby, sharing each "half" with two different ladies, each claiming to be the mother! 1 Kings 3:25-26, that paragraph, tells the story.

The verb "divided," again "gazar," is also translated "decreed" twice in the Bible! It is rendered "divided" only three times. So I can say that God "divided" the Sea ... simply by "decree!" He spoke the words ... and it happened!

That's a great God, everyone!

Actually Psalm 136:13 uses "gazar" twice! Both the verb "divided" and the noun "parts" equate the same "root" in Hebrew. "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Wow!

In Isaiah 9:20 "gazar" is translated "snatch!" God grabbed the Red Sea and jerked it into two halves!  "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever."

And in Isaiah 53, that great chapter about our suffering Saviour, Jesus was "gazar" (translated "cut off" ... from the land of the living), dying for you and me! Thank God for Calvary!

By the way, God can "put things back together" again too!

But that would be a whole new lesson.

I write you all this morning looking out the window at the Tennessee River. It's 652 miles long, origin to destination, and several hundred feet wide here in Savannah, Tennessee. Where I'm preaching this week.

And my God created that thing!

And if necessary, He can "divide" it as well!

No wonder the Bible delights in the Event, the Exodus! Psalm 105:2 for example, "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works." Including this Read Sea miracle!

Amen.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

We are "inching" our way through Psalm 136. Slowly looking at how God here describes the "Exodus" event, the Jews' supervised "escape" from the land of Egypt.

Yesterday, today and again tomorrow we focus on one elongated sentence. One complete thought, anyway. Prefaced by "thanks be to the Lord," ... the three verse "unit" says: "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:13-15

Today's Lesson: God "made Israel to pass through the midst of it," the Red Sea. Folks, I'm so very grateful that God still takes us "through" many a hard time as well! He brings us out of the "midst" of trouble, time and time again!

Now here's our whole verse today. "And (the Lord) made Israel to pass through the midst of it (the sea): for his mercy endureth for ever."

Clearly the main verb here is "made to pass through," yes one word translates all that! The Hebrew teacher would say "caused to pass through." The verb is written in the Hiphil stem, a "reason" behind the action being assumed.

God has a purpose for Israel.

Hence, He makes her to pass through the Sea, on toward the Land of Canaan she will  march. Under the mighty Hand of God!

This verb is "spelled" (in Hebrew) "abar." It is found 559 times in the Bible, in the Old Testament! It's what I call the "passover" verb! As in Exodus 12:13. "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Wow!

The Same God Who mercifully "passed over" those blood-stained little homes in Egypt that night, the night the tenth and final plague was inflicted, also took Israel and with her "passed through" the Red Sea, miraculously so!

It's "abar" either way!

This is maybe the "high water" mark for Israel in the Old Testament! Deliverance! Salvation! Preservation!

And this great "delivering" God ... is still alive! Is still on the Throne!

Listen to this promise. From God to His people. "When thou passest through ("abar") the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2

Mercy!

And the New Testament counterpart is just as good. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10

The "history" of "abar," in the very form it appears here in Psalm 136:14, is instructive. Case and number specific. Six times it's found, as you will now see.

In Genesis 47:21 Moses writes of Joseph: "And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof." Being relocated from the country to the City! "Abar," from a "dangerous and hungry" place, a "famine-ravaged" place ... to a "food-filled" place!

Then in 2 Samuel 12:13. "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die." Yes, God "puts away" sin, "abar!" The iniquity is "taken" from me and placed on Another! On the Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Kings 16:3, said of wicked King Ahaz of Judah.  "But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel." Burned his son alive, to appease the heathen gods of Israel's reprobate neighbors! "Abar" to be burned one end to the other, consumed!

Then again in the same sense, 2 Chronicles 33:6. "And he (King Manasseh) caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger." These young boys and girls were forced to "pass through" a fire. Yet God saved Israel and made her "pass through" the dried up Red Sea!

Also Esther 8:2 uses "abar." We're told: "And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman." No longer the "dead" Haman's ring, it has "passed on" to Mordecai. Mordecai, the Jew!

Then finally, Jeremiah 46:17. Read it with me. "They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed." His days have been numbered and ended! He's passed from grace to judgment! He has crossed his "deadline!" Still using "abar."

By now we should have a real appreciation for the verb. And can better picture what God did that day at the Red Sea!

"And (the Lord) made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever."

What a great God!

Thank Him today for all He has helped you "pass through."

His Mercy still endureth forever!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18, VERSE 15, PHARAOH:

Today we conclude the "Exodus" paragraph of Psalm 136. We've been in verses 10-15 for several days now! But finally wicked Pharaoh gets his just due!

Look what God did! "But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 136:15

The verb "overthrew" is spelled "naar" in Hebrew and means "to toss to and fro!" Almost "to shake to pieces!" It is translated "overthrew" twice in the Old Testament as well. And "naar" is only used a total of 11 times in the whole Bible!

The noun "host" is "chayil" and means "army" 56 times in Scripture! God caused this King and all his army to drown in the Red Sea!

Why?

Because the Lord's Mercy is unending!

He was being "good" to Israel that day!

He was judging sin and rebellion that day, too! Another merciful thing, by the way. "But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever."

The Book of Exodus records this event as follows. "And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, and took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. Exodus 14:22-18, quite an overthrow, still using the verb "naar," same as Psalm 136.

Oh, how I've enjoyed sharing this great Psalm with you all! Be grateful to our majestic God ... His Mercy really does endure forever!