The Lord Remembers Us in Our Wretched State

In Psalm 136:23, we read “The Lord remembered us in our wretched state, for his love endures forever.”

Conclusion: When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we petition our Father to remember us in our wretched state, knowing that His love endures forever.

Discussions

The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 136:23 share a connection in their acknowledgment of God’s enduring love and faithfulness, particularly in times of need and humility.

Acknowledgment of God’s Care

• Psalm 136:23 states, “He remembered us in our low estate; His love endures forever.” This verse reflects on God’s compassionate remembrance and care for us in times of need and humility.
• The Lord’s Prayer includes petitions like “give us this day our daily bread,” which similarly acknowledges our dependence on God for provision and care.

Divine Faithfulness and Enduring Love

• The recurring refrain in Psalm 136, “His love endures forever,” emphasizes the everlasting and steadfast nature of God’s love, a theme that underlies the entire prayer.
• In the Lord’s Prayer, while God’s love is not mentioned explicitly, the very act of turning to God in prayer and seeking His will (“your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”) and provision reflects a trust in His unwavering love and faithfulness.

Human Vulnerability and Divine Response

• Psalm 136:23 specifically mentions God’s remembrance of us in our “low estate,” highlighting God’s attentiveness and response to human vulnerability and need.
• The Lord’s Prayer addresses human vulnerability through requests for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil, implying a trust in God’s response to our humble state.

Gratitude and Worship

• Psalm 136 is a hymn of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for God’s enduring love through the recounting of His deeds.
• The Lord’s Prayer, while a petition, is also an act of worship, beginning with the acknowledgment of God’s holiness and ending with a doxology in some traditions, thus aligning with the spirit of gratitude and reverence found in Psalm 136.

In summary, both the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 136:23 are linked by their recognition of God’s enduring love, care, and faithfulness, especially in response to human vulnerability and need, and both reflect an attitude of humble dependence and gratitude towards God.