Give Thanks to the Lord, for His Love Endures

136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his loyal love endures. 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his loyal love endures. 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his loyal love endures, 136:4 to the one who performs magnificent, amazing deeds all by himself, for his loyal love endures, 136:5 to the one who used wisdom to make the heavens, for his loyal love endures, 136:6 to the one who spread out the earth over the water, for his loyal love endures, 136:7 to the one who made the great lights, for his loyal love endures, 136:8 the sun to rule by day, for his loyal love endures, 136:9 the moon and stars to rule by night, for his loyal love endures, 136:10 to the one who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his loyal love endures, 136:11 and led Israel out from their midst, for his loyal love endures, 136:12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his loyal love endures, 136:13 to the one who divided the Red Sea in two, for his loyal love endures, 136:14 and led Israel through its midst, for his loyal love endures, 136:15 and tossed Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for his loyal love endures, 136:16 to the one who led his people through the wilderness, for his loyal love endures, 136:17 to the one who struck down great kings, for his loyal love endures, 136:18 and killed powerful kings, for his loyal love endures, 136:19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his loyal love endures, 136:20 Og, king of Bashan, for his loyal love endures, 136:21 and gave their land as an inheritance, for his loyal love endures, 136:22 as an inheritance to Israel his servant, for his loyal love endures, 136:23 to the one who remembered us when we were down, for his loyal love endures, 136:24 and snatched us away from our enemies, for his loyal love endures, 136:25 to the one who gives food to all living things, for his loyal love endures. 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures! Psalm 137

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 136 calls God’s people to give thanks because the Lord is good and his loyal love endures forever. The refrain repeats after each line as the psalm remembers God’s works in creation, his judgment on Egypt, his rescue of Israel, his guidance through the wilderness, his gift of the land, and his daily provision.

Psalm 136 is a song of thanksgiving. It begins by calling God’s people to give thanks. The reason is clear: the Lord is good, and his loyal love endures forever.

The psalm first praises God for who he is. He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. He does great and wonderful works by his own power. He made the heavens, the earth, and the lights in the sky.

Then the psalm remembers God’s saving acts in Israel’s history. He struck down Egypt’s firstborn. He brought Israel out with a strong hand. He divided the Red Sea, led his people through it, and tossed Pharaoh and his army into the sea. He guided his people through the wilderness. He struck down great kings, including Sihon and Og, and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.

The psalm also remembers God’s care in times of trouble. He remembered his people when they were low. He rescued them from their enemies. He gives food to all living things.

The repeated refrain teaches the main lesson. Every act of God, whether in creation, judgment, rescue, inheritance, or daily provision, shows the same faithful love. The right response is thanksgiving and reverence.

• God is good.
• God’s loyal love endures forever.
• God alone is the highest Lord over all.
• God created the heavens, the earth, and the lights in the sky.
• God judged Egypt and brought Israel out by his mighty power.
• God led his people through the sea and the wilderness.
• God defeated powerful kings and gave land to Israel as an inheritance.
• God rescues his people when they are in trouble.
• God gives food to all living things.

• Give thanks to the Lord.
• Give thanks to the God of gods.
• Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
• Remember God’s works with gratitude.
• Receive God’s judgments with reverence.

Psalm 136 shows that the Lord who created all things is the same Lord who redeemed Israel, judged their enemies, gave them the land, and provides for life. The psalm is centered on Israel’s thanksgiving to this faithful God.

God’s people should answer God’s works with thanksgiving. We should let what God has done shape our worship. His rescue and his daily provision should strengthen our trust. We should also receive God’s judgments with reverence, because his holiness and his love are never opposed.

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