PREVIEW: One of the critiques of modern worship choruses is that they are too simple and overly repetitive. On the other hand, the great hymns of the church are deeply theological and majestic both in lyric and music. But there is room for both—the modern worship the Holy Spirit has birthed in the contemporary church, as well as the hymns of our historic faith. So, if you’re cranky over your music pastor’s typical song selection, do what Psalm 136 calls you to do: Focus on God’s goodness throughout the history of the world and throughout your personal history as well. God has been faithful in all he has done, and merciful, too. He is the loving Creator and Redeemer—he always has been, he is right now, and when you wake up tomorrow or the next day, and every day after that, he still will be. “O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever!”
A Journey of Worship // Psalm 134:2
One of the critiques of modern worship choruses is that they are too simple and overly repetitive. The great hymns of the church, on the other hand, are deeply theological and majestic both in lyric and music. I truly love both—the modern worship the Holy Spirit has birthed in the contemporary church as well as the hymns of our historic faith. Both move me to joyful worship of Almighty God.
Psalm 136 is akin to a modern worship chorus. In each of the twenty-six verses that comprise the psalm, you will notice simple, soundbite phrases that recall the goodness of God as both creator and redeemer, followed by the same line thirty-six times: “His love endures forever!”
So, if you are one of those who, frankly, just dislikes modern worship, think about this psalm the next time you are tempted to get a little cranky about your church’s worship. If you want to be critical of your worship leader for his song selection, you might as well line up this psalmist right beside him and take your shot at both!
Or you could do what this psalm calls you to do: Focus on the goodness of God throughout the history of the world, and throughout your personal history as well. God has been faithful in all he has done, and merciful, too. He is the loving Creator and Redeemer—he always has been, he is right now, and when you wake up tomorrow or the next day, and every day after that, he still will be.
O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever!
Now—don’t you feel much better?
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