Psalm 136: God of Love?

by Andi Norton

Psalm 136 (NIV)

I've been extremely blessed this term to be invited to deliver a number of question and answer sessions related to all things related to the Christian faith throughout secondary schools in our conurbation and in every session this question is asked:

"If God is a God of love, then why does He allow (cause) bad things to happen?"

Now this is a complex question that needs to be approached sensitively and covering several factors, but the one thing is clear from this psalm is God IS a God of love and His love endures forever.

The psalmist lists an in-depth list of all God has created to show His love for His children.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights —
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
I love science and have greatly enjoyed looking into the sustainable factors needed for human life to exist. For example gravity could be positioned at anywhere in the expanse of space, but it happens to be just where it is so that You and I can exist. For more about this watch this

But what about this question that is so frequently asked? What about the second part of this Psalm? It talks of how God saved His people from their enemies, and yes He did strike down those who stood against Him with disasters and plagues but all because He loves His people.


10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

The reality is God has the power to destroy us all, all He has to do is move gravity an inch and we would cease to be, but He chooses not too because He loves us, He longs for us to choose a relationship with Him.

In all that God does, although we sometimes (even us Christians) can not comprehend it "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) and that His love endures forever

I often reflect on why did I have to go through such suffering under the addiction of drugs and a broken home when I grew up, but God allowed it and now uses it so that I can lead others to His wonderful love through a heart of empathy.

I can truly say our God is 100 per cent a God of love.

Thank You Lord for the love you display throughout your creation, through Jesus, and even in the things which seem so negative, but on deeper thought are actions which even display your purpose and plans for us, this is great love.