Psalm 136 is the Psalm that ends every verse with “his mercy endureth for ever.” The first three verses of this Psalm describe a great God. They tell who God is. They tell that He is above all the gods and rulers of this world, yet His mercy endureth forever.
“1) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1-3)
Give thanks unto the LORD
O give thanks unto the God of gods. The LORD is great above all gods. All the gods of the heathen, all the gods that people trust in other than the one true God, they are nothing. The God that made the heaven and earth, he is the God of gods.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords. God is Lord over all. There is none greater in authority than He. The kings of this earth may think that they are able to rule themselves. They may think that they can break God’s bands asunder and rule their kingdoms without acknowledging God. But, if they do so, there will be a price to pay. Nations that forget God will suffer His judgment and wrath.
Psalm 2:1-3 says, “1) Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3) Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” The nations of the earth think that they can rule themselves. They think that they can be stronger than God. They think they can just cast away His restraints and then they will be happy and everything will be OK.
What happens when a nation tries to reject God and His restraints? The nations cannot fight against God, they have no power against Him. God says, “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” (Isaiah 40:15) When the nations reject God and think that they can get out from under His control, the Bible says, “4) He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5) Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (Psalm 2:4,5) God laughs and derides because He knows that the efforts of those who reject Him are in vain. The nations have no power to get out from under His control. God also sends His wrath upon them and vexes them with His sore displeasure. God does not enjoy judging people, but He cannot tolerate sin. Sin must be dealt with. However, even God’s judgment is carried out mixed with His mercy. Lamentations 3:31-33 gives this assurances, “31) For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 32) But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33) For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”
There is a remedy for the judgment and affliction that God brings. That remedy is to turn to God, trust in Him, fear the Lord, and serve Him. “10) Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11) Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:10-12)