Ruanne van Zyl
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal. Psalm 136:1, GNT
Psalm 136 is a song of praise and remembrance of God’s eternal love and faithfulness. This psalm, with its repetitive refrain, “his love is eternal”, invites us to reflect on the many ways God has shown his love to us. It is not only a reminder of his goodness, but also a call to continually praise him.
The psalm begins by singing of God’s goodness and rulership. Verses 2 and 3 remind us that God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. This hymn of praise makes it clear that there is no one else like him – mighty, faithful and filled with a love that never ceases.
The rest of the psalm takes us on a journey through Israel’s history, highlighting how God proved his love, time and time again, through his actions. From creation to the deliverance from Egypt, from his protection in the wilderness to his gift of the promised land, every act testifies to God’s eternal love and care for his people.
The repetition of the phrase “his love is eternal” reminds us that God’s love is unchangeable. His love does not depend on our actions or our circumstances. It is unwavering, constant and sovereign. When we are struggling or uncertain about the future, we can trust that the same God who was faithful in the past will also be faithful today and tomorrow.
This psalm encourages us to praise God not only for his great deeds, but also for his character and love that never ceases. It challenges us to look into our own lives, at the ways he has shown his love to us and to thank him for it.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for your eternal love and goodness. Thank you for remaining faithful through all the ages and for your love that never ceases. Help me to see your goodness in every moment and praise you. Amen.
Ruanne van Zyl
Loof die Here, want Hy is goed, aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie. Psalm 136:1, 1983-vertaling
Psalm 136 is 'n lied van lofprysing en herinnering aan God se ewige liefde en getrouheid. Hierdie Psalm, met sy herhalende refrein “aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie,” nooi ons om na te dink oor die talle maniere waarop God sy liefde aan ons bewys het. Dit is nie net 'n herinnering aan sy goedheid nie, maar ook 'n oproep om Hom voortdurend te loof.
Die Psalm begin deur God se goedheid en heerskappy te besing. Psalm 136:2-3 herinner ons dat God die God van gode en die Here van here is. Hierdie loflied stel dit duidelik dat daar niemand anders is soos Hy nie – magtig, getrou, en gevul met 'n liefde wat nooit ophou nie.
Die res van die Psalm neem ons op 'n reis deur Israel se geskiedenis en beklemtoon hoe God sy liefde keer op keer deur sy dade bewys het. Van die skepping tot die bevryding uit Egipte, van sy beskerming in die woestyn tot sy gawe van die beloofde land – elke daad getuig van God se ewige liefde en sorg vir sy mense.
Die herhaling van die frase “aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie” herinner ons daaraan dat God se liefde nie veranderlik is nie. Sy liefde is nie afhanklik van ons dade of ons omstandighede nie. Dit is onwrikbaar, konstant en soewerein. Wanneer ons sukkel of onseker is oor die toekoms, kan ons vertrou dat dieselfde God wat in die verlede getrou was, ook vandag en môre getrou sal wees.
Hierdie Psalm spoor ons aan om God nie net vir sy groot dade te loof nie, maar ook vir sy karakter en liefde wat nooit ophou nie. Dit daag ons uit om in ons eie lewens te kyk na die maniere waarop Hy sy liefde aan ons bewys het en om Hom daarvoor te dank.
Gebed: Here, ek loof U vir u ewige liefde en goedheid. Dankie dat U getrou bly deur al die eeue heen, en dat u liefde nooit ophou nie. Help my om in elke oomblik u goedheid raak te sien en U te loof. Amen.
Ruanne van Zyl
I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2, GNT
Psalm 121 is one of the most beautiful depictions of God’s faithfulness and care for his children. It is often considered a pilgrimage song – something that people sang during their journey to Jerusalem. This psalm speaks of trust in God in the midst of danger and uncertainty.
When the writer looks to the mountains, he asks, “Where will my help come from?” The image of the mountains can be symbolic of challenges and dangers that sometimes feel insurmountable. We also often face big “mountains” – crises, fear or difficult circumstances. It is a natural human response to wonder if help will ever come.
The answer to that question, however, brings reassurance: “My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” This simple but powerful statement reminds us that our help does not have to come from uncertain sources, but from the Creator of all. He, who controls the entire universe, is also the one who cares for our smallest need.
Psalm 121 is filled with promises about God’s protection. Psalm 121:3 (NIV) says, “He will not let your foot slip." This points to the fact that God is actively watching over us. He never tires or forgets to take care of us; he is not dozing or sleeping. Even in our weakest moments, his strength is available to us.
Further in the psalm, we are assured that the Lord protects us from all dangers – he is our shelter, our keeper, and he is with us day and night. This does not necessarily mean that we will never experience problems, but rather that he is with us through every situation, guiding us and protecting us.
Whatever your challenge may be, remember that your help comes from the Lord. He is close, powerful and full of love. Trust in his faithfulness and be assured that he will never let you go.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my help and my keeper. Help me to trust in you in every situation, knowing that you never leave me alone. Amen
Ruanne van Zyl
Ek kyk op na die berge: waar sal my hulp vandaan kom? My hulp is van die Here, wat hemel en aarde gemaak het. Psalm 121:1-2, 2020-vertaling
Psalm 121 is een van die mooiste uitbeeldings van God se getrouheid en sorg oor sy kinders. Dit word dikwels beskou as 'n pelgrimslied – iets wat mense tydens hul reis na Jerusalem gesing het. Hierdie Psalm spreek van vertroue in God te midde van gevaar en onsekerheid.
Wanneer die skrywer opkyk na die berge, vra hy: “Waar sal my hulp vandaan kom?” Die beeld van die berge kan simbolies wees van uitdagings en gevare wat soms onoorbrugbaar voel. Ons staar ook dikwels groot “berge” in die gesig – krisisse, vrees, of moeilike omstandighede. Dit is 'n natuurlike menslike reaksie om te wonder of hulp ooit sal kom.
Maar die antwoord op hierdie vraag bring gerusstelling: “My hulp is van die Here, wat hemel en aarde gemaak het.” Hierdie eenvoudige, maar kragtige verklaring herinner ons daaraan dat ons hulp nie van onsekere bronne hoef te kom nie, maar van die Skepper van alles. Hy, wat die hele heelal beheer, is ook die Een wat sorg vir ons kleinste nood.
Psalm 121 is gevul met beloftes oor God se beskerming. Vers 3 sê: “Hy sal nie toelaat dat jou voet struikel nie.” Dit wys daarop dat God aktief waak oor ons. Hy raak nooit moeg of vergeet om vir ons te sorg nie; Hy sluimer of slaap nie. Selfs in ons swakste oomblikke is sy krag vir ons beskikbaar.
Verder in die Psalm word ons verseker dat die Here ons beskerm teen alle gevare – Hy is ons skaduwee, ons Bewaarder, en Hy is by ons dag en nag. Dit beteken nie noodwendig dat ons nooit probleme sal ervaar nie, maar eerder dat Hy deur elke situasie met ons is, ons lei, en ons beskerm.
Wat jou uitdaging ook al mag wees, onthou dat jou hulp van die Here kom. Hy is naby, kragtig, en vol liefde. Vertrou op sy getrouheid, en wees verseker dat Hy jou nooit sal laat gaan nie.
Gebed: Here, dankie dat U my hulp en my Bewaarder is. Help my om op U te vertrou in elke situasie, wetende dat U my nooit alleen laat nie. Amen.