Psalms Reading – 5.6.2022
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
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.
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.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.
17 to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever.
23 He remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136 celebrates the enduring nature of the Lord’s love. Each verse ends with a refrain; it’s the only psalm that does so. As we have done with it, it may have been used in public worship where one person leads with for that which is to be given thanks, and the congregation responds with, “His love endures forever.”
If repetition is used to drive a point home, then we must pay attention to this refrain. The love of the Lord is everlasting. It does not give up or out on us.
This psalm shares various highlights from their history as they happened in the first five books of the Bible. Other psalms recalled past historical events but only this psalm exactly follows the order of events as described in those early books of the Bible: Creation-Exodus-Red Sea-Wilderness-Sihon/Og-Land Grant.
One specific example in verses 4-9 is that the order follows the specific acts of creation found in Genesis 1.
The most important message of the psalm is it reminds us that both Scripture and history teach us that God’s love continues to reach out to creation and His people over and over again.
Memory Verse: Psalm 133:1, How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Question(s) to Consider: What specific examples that you could add to the list where you have experienced Christ’s enduring love in your life?