This verse signifies not just the mercy of God that is to come, but rather an everlasting mercy that He grants to His saints and faithful, not due to their eternal misery requiring constant mercy, but because the blessedness He generously offers will lift them from despair, allowing them to rejoice eternally; thus, His mercy is eternal. It is His grace that transforms the unjust to just, the weak to whole, the dead to alive, the mortal to immortal, and the miserable to joyful. This transformation happens through His mercy.
As such, we must express gratitude to the Lord; from this act of confession, we shall not receive fleeting benefits; rather, the grace He bestows will endure eternally. Then we see: Give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy lasts forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy is everlasting. We may wonder who these gods and lords are, of which the One true God is supreme. In Scripture, we find humans referred to as gods as well. The Lord affirms this in the Gospel when He states, “Is it not written in your law, ‘You are gods?’” This is not to suggest all are righteous, but to reflect what God said concerning them. If they were all righteous, such a distinction would not have been necessary. He judges among these so-called gods, voicing concern towards some but not all, making it evident that not all are the same.
A question arises: if those to whom God’s word was directed can be called gods, can angels then share this title, especially since the highest reward promised to the just is to be likened to angels? There may not be a direct reference in Scripture that openly labels angels as gods, but when it is said, “He is more terrible than all gods,” it implies that gentile deities are false, reminding us that their idols are mere illusions. These idols, being lifeless images, cannot react or feel fear, unlike the true God who is alive. Hence, when it is proclaimed that He excels above all gods, it serves to contrast the living God with the voidness of false idols. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that, “we know that an idol is nothing,” referring to its earthly and trivial materiality.
However, to prevent any misconception that there is no living spirit receiving pagan offerings, Paul clarifies that what the Gentiles sacrifice is directed towards demons, not God, and encourages us to avoid fellowship with these demons. Thus, if one does not find references in holy texts indicating that angels are called gods, it suggests that the service owed to the divine pertains uniquely to God Himself rather than to angels, who are more appropriately termed messengers—each title signifying the nature of their role rather than their essence. The Apostle summarizes this notion by saying that while there may be lords and gods, we acknowledge one God, the Father, from whom all things originate; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all exists.
Let us therefore express our gratitude to the God of gods and Lord of lords for His mercy. He alone performs wonders. Notably, every verse concludes with “His mercy endures forever,” allowing us to infer an invitation to sing praises at the beginning of each. This could have more explicitly conveyed meaning in other translations. A clearer phrasing could read, “To Him who works wonders,” allowing us to interpret that the psalmist is inviting us to acknowledge Him as the One who acted in creation—be it the heavens or the earth.
By understanding that it was solely His mercy that redeemed us from our sins and freed us from eternal suffering, we recognize the psalmist’s encouragement to give thanks. We should thank the God of gods, the Lord of lords; let us praise Him who alone performs marvelous deeds, who in His wisdom created the heavens, spread the earth upon the waters, and brought forth the great lights. The psalmist's intent to guide our worship is reinforced throughout by reminding us that His mercy endures forever.
But what does it mean that He alone does great wonders? Clearly, He has accomplished astonishing acts through both angels and men. Some acts are solely divine; the psalmist cites instances where God alone created the heavens and the earth—demonstrating His unrivaled power. Following this, he notes the sun as the ruler of day and the moon and stars that govern the night. Then, he recalls the miracles performed through human agents, including the plagues of Egypt, illustrating that God intentionally selected certain wonders to show His power over all creation.
The psalmist draws our attention to the visible universe, inviting us to recognize it as the handiwork of the Almighty. Whether he intended to depict the heavens as reflecting God’s wisdom, or if his choice to express this regarding the heavens alone conveys a deeper understanding, remains a consideration. Nonetheless, one underlying truth prevails: God created all things through His singular wisdom, distinct from any created being.
Who, then, established the earth above the waters? This presents a challenge to our understanding, as the earth appears heavier and seemingly supported by water rather than upheld by it. A more profound reflection might reveal that the earthly realm, populated by humanity, is seen as elevated above its surrounding waters, akin to a city emerging atop a sea. Furthermore, on a spiritual level, this can express how His holy ones, enlightened by faith, ascend above worldly influences, while those yet to reach this understanding remain grounded in the world around them.
These observations lead us to comprehend that God, through His wisdom, has created the heavens—not merely physical skies but also the souls of spiritual beings who grasp divine truths. For those who tread the world in steadfast faith, they are likened to earth, elevated above surrounding waters, signifying their salvation and purpose. The Apostle Paul elucidates the connection between wisdom and divine love, portraying wisdom as knowing and loving the eternal God while fleeing from evil to maintain a connection with the light of truth.
He brought Israel forth from among their oppressors, as He delivered His faithful ones from wickedness with His mighty arm and strong hand. Who can compare to the strength of God as described, “To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” He split the Red Sea, creating a passage not only to freedom but also offering baptism, symbolizing life for some and death for others. Through this same act, He shepherds His people through the waters of regeneration and toward divine renewal.
The Lord leads His followers through the wilderness, guiding us through a desolate life to ensure we do not perish. He confronts the mighty kings and conquers notorious leaders; similarly, He engages with the malevolent forces of the devil on our behalf. Names like Sihon, king of the Amorites, indicate destruction and temptation, while Og, the king of Bashan, symbolizes confusion and disorder—all traits of the evil one. By asserting His sovereignty, He grants inheritance to His faithful, divinely transferring dominion from the adversaries to the heirs of His promises.
He remembers us in our lowly state and redeems us from our adversaries through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. He sustains all creation, meaning not only the Israelites but also humanity at large. It is said of His generous provision that “My flesh is true food.” Let us give thanks to the God of heaven and honor the Lord of lords, affirming the unity of our recognition in one God and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom we confess that His mercy lasts forever.
THEOSIS