Psalm 136

[Gendou Ikari]

Do you people believe in Psalm 136?

This time I'll use the King James Translation

Psalm 136

1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

[Free]

I voted yes, but it all depends on what you mean by "believing in". Do I think it exists? Yes. Do I think it is good? Yes. Do I think it is God inspired? Yes. Does it says what God intended it to say? Yes.

Do I agree with you about what is being said? Probably not (I'm assuming from your question "do you people").

 

[Gendou Ikari]

I'm assuming from your question "do you people").

That was not meant to be insulting or used as a division. I just meant the people of the forum.

 

[Free]

I didn't take it as an insult or as causing division. What you asked and the way you did it imply that you have different understanding of that passage than what most in here would consider the norm.

 

[Gendou Ikari]

I didn't take it as an insult or as causing division. What you asked and the way you did it imply that you have different understanding of that passage than what most in here would consider the norm.

Basically everything that I believe differs from that of most Christians. I'm virtually considered a heretic.

 

[kwag_myers]

Basically everything that I believe differs from that of most Christians. I'm virtually considered a heretic.

Yeah, I get that a lot, too. Especially when I use the Bible to show some Christian traditions are wrong.

Back to Psalm 136. I'm curious, what is the issue here? Is it the giving thanks part, or the His love endures forever part, or something else?

We should always give thanks. According to Psalm 100:4, thanksgiving is a part of worship.

As for God's love enduring forever, that's well behond our comprehension. But it has lasted this long.

 

[Gendou Ikari]

As for God's love enduring forever, that's well behond our comprehension. But it has lasted this long.

It's along the lines of the Father's mercy enduring for ever. I just wanted to know what the people of this forum thought about this passage, since it contradicts most Christian's beliefs.

 

[Free]

Actually it contradicts no Christian beliefs.

 

[Gendou Ikari]

Oh, ever heard of a little doctrine know as "Eternal Damnation."

 

[KnarfKS]

In verse 18 God slew famous kings as well. Doesn't that seem non merciful when I leave it out of context as well?

It is pretty clear that the passage is talking about the mercy of God for the Isrealites. Doesn't really have anything to do with eternal damnation. Just a thought.
Romans 9:14-15
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

 

[Free]

Oh, ever heard of a little doctrine know as "Eternal Damnation."

Yet you forget about those who go to heaven, those whose eternal life shows God's eternal mercy. Unless, of course, you think it is not because of God's mercy that they're there. Or do you think God is only merciful if all go to heaven? Can God be only part merciful or can his mercy be lacking?

 

[Green^Horn]

Oh, ever heard of a little doctrine know as "Eternal Damnation."

it all boils down to this:

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

and his mercey will endure forever to those who believe, and his wrath will endure forever to those who don't believe, and i think that all here know what it is that we are required to believe in order to recieve this mercey that endures forever, but just in case some have forgotten, here it is again:

Joh 3:16 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.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[kwag_myers]

Oh, ever heard of a little doctrine know as "Eternal Damnation."

Ah, now I get what you're after. As some others have mentioned already, there is a difference between God's mercy and His judgement. Consider the story that Jesus told of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31). God is showing mercy to Lazarus (who apparently listen to the prophets, etc.) and His judgement to the rich man (who apparently didn't listen).

The bottom line is that some people choose eternal damnation. And if you ever witnessed on the street, you'll find them real quick.

But getting back to God's mercy, 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that it is God's hope that all will come to repentance. Sadly, many feel no need to.

 

[von]

I cast my vote as I believe every word of the Bible. Other than that I'm just enjoying reading everyone elses comments you are replying very well.

 

[KnarfKS]

I think the phrase pnwd is in order :-D

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

It's along the lines of the Father's mercy enduring for ever. I just wanted to know what the people of this forum thought about this passage, since it contradicts most Christian's beliefs.

Oh, ever heard of a little doctrine know as "Eternal Damnation."

Interesting statements, I suggest you pick up a copy of the Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli. This book is a lovely start to apologetics and particularly in reference to you it talks about the doctrine of “Eternal Damnation.†I know you despise such a doctrine but it is my belief that the Bible speaks very much in support of such a notion. I know that one of your various problems with the doctrine is what appears to be a direct contradiction to the belief that God is a God of love.

I contend that the doctrine of “Eternal Damnation†actually supports and maintains the vary notion of God’s enduring love. Many times I have heard people divide the Bible into two groups: The Old Testament as an example of God’s wrath and judgment and the New Testament as an example of God’s love and mercy. It is my belief, however; that God’s love, mercy, justice, and wrath can be seen in both testaments. It is a sad reality but many people focus so much on the notion that God is a God of love that they neglect and forget that God is not only a God of love but a God of justice as well. Despite this truth, God’s love and justice are not mutually exclusive. God is a God of love and justice at the same time period.

It is not my intent to begin or diverge into a discussion, or debate, of whether or not “Universal Reconciliation†or the doctrine of “Eternal Damnation†is in fact true. My intent, again as before in another topic, is to point to information and at time provide it to provoke thought and exploration.

As fellow followers of Christ it is the job of every Christian to help his/her fellow Christian in their spiritual walk. In helping fellow Christians one should correct and guide a confused follower with love. In doing that it is important to remember that such action should not only be done with love but also with the goal of God’s glory and not the selfish glory of “being right.†I have added this last comment as a reminder to both myself and all who have posted on this forum because far too many times people have debated theology and the Bible with the obvious goal of “being riht†and not for the glory of God. Jesus Christ must remain the center of everything that one does period.

 

[McQuacks]

As fellow followers of Christ it is the job of every Christian to help his/her fellow Christian in their spiritual walk. In helping fellow Christians one should correct and guide a confused follower with love. In doing that it is important to remember that such action should not only be done with love but also with the goal of God’s glory and not the selfish glory of “being right.†I have added this last comment as a reminder to both myself and all who have posted on this forum because far too many times people have debated theology and the Bible with the obvious goal of “being right†and not for the glory of God. Jesus Christ must remain the center of everything that one does period.

AMEN!
-McQ 8-)