Psalm 136:25—“Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever …”

Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever (Ps. 136:25).

COMMON GRACE ARGUMENT:

“Psalm 136 says throughout that God’s creating the heavens and ordaining the cycles of the stars for the benefit of all is ‘mercy.’  His taking Israel out of Egypt, defeating their enemies and His giving them a land for an inheritance, though the majority of Israel were unbelievers, was ‘merciful.’  Verse 25 says that God’s providing food to all animals and people is ‘merciful’ …”

(I)

1)  If the proponent of common grace is arguing that 136:25 speaks of a mercy of God to every human, the Psalm itself will not allow it.  The Psalm regards God’s mercy to Israel.  Therefore, the “all flesh” of verse 25 is not every human, but the people of God.  Evidence in the Psalm that Jehovah’s mercy is particularly for Israel, and not for all humans, is His destruction of Egypt (vv. 10, 15), and other nations (vv. 18-20).  I remember a seminary professor telling me years ago that “all flesh” could even include the care of God for Israel’s sheep and goats and bullocks; but still, it is a particular mercy shown to Israel alone.

2)  If the proponent of common grace is arguing that 136:25 speaks of mercy in material things, such as rain and sunshine, the answer is twofold:  (a) In the Old Testament, God did give His people earthly abundance, in the way of their obedience, as tokens of His favor.  (b) Even today, though God does not promise earthly abundance to those who love Him, yet what He does give is given in His love for us. (DK, 29/04/2019)

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(II)

More to come! (DV)