God Speaks
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
10 Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
11 He brought Israel out of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
12 He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
His faithful love endures forever.
13 Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
14 He led Israel safely through,
His faithful love endures forever.
15 but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
16 Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
His faithful love endures forever.
17 Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
His faithful love endures forever.
18 He killed powerful kings—
His faithful love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
His faithful love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan.
His faithful love endures forever.
21 God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
His faithful love endures forever.
22 a special possession to his servant Israel.
His faithful love endures forever.
23 He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Psalm 136:
1. What does this psalm tell me about God?
2. What does this psalm tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. The LORD [YHWH] is the one and only God whose love endures forever.
2. People are to give thanks to God whose goodness, superiority, sovereignty, and enduring love are demonstrated in mighty miracles, in creation, in how He deals severely with those who would harm people who turn to Him, and in how He comforts, protects, and provides for them.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Psalm 136?
O LORD, God of gods and Lord of lords, thank You that Your faithful love truly does endure forever. You have displayed this marvelous love in so many ways. The following are just a few: creating all that exists, rescuing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, destroying Pharoah and his army, leading of Your people in the wilderness, defeating mighty kings to claim their lands for Your people, remembering, saving, and providing for Your people and every living thing. O God of heaven, You are worthy of all thanks and praise. May every creature and human being, including me, give You all thanks and praise. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalm 136?
- To demonstrate my love and gratitude to God, I will thank Him in prayer, listing at least ten things.
- To demonstrate my love and gratitude to God, I will take special care of the spirit, mind, will, emotions, and body (and other things) thar He has given me.
- To demonstrate my love and gratitude to God, I will treat other people well because God made and loves them as much as He loves me.
- To demonstrate my love and gratitude to God, I will share this psalm with my spouse, a family member, a friend, or a stranger.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.