Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

A Thank-You Prayer

More often than I’d like to admit, my prayers to God can sound like a list of homework I’m assigning God to complete. I review the upcoming events in my life and ask God to do something in each situation. For example, I pray for His direction and discernment over a difficult decision or protection and healing over a loved one’s surgery. While there is nothing wrong with these prayers, Psalm 136 reminds me to also go before God in thanksgiving of what He has already done. It reads more like a thank-you note than a list of to-do’s.

Here in Psalm 136 we read a whole song dedicated to celebrating who God is and what He has done in the lives of His people. All 26 verses conclude with the same refrain, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Did you read that refrain each time in appeared? Or did your eyes start to scan and skip over the familiar phrase as you encountered each line? Let’s go back, and let each word sink in.

His. Who’s? God’s. God’s love endures forever. Not your parent’s or friend’s or significant other’s but God’s. This doesn’t mean those people don’t love you, but no one’s love compares to God’s eternal, perfect love shown to you in Jesus.

Steadfast. Enduring, faithful, unwavering. God’s love for you doesn’t change or lose strength. It carries on for all time.

Love. God’s love for us is a sacrificial love. It’s a love that doesn’t let anything get in the way of being expressed–not even our sin or disinterest. For God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Endures. This verb continues the same theme as “steadfast.” It remains consistent and lasts. “Endures” can also take on a connotation of suffering such as enduring a trial or pain. God’s love for us endures even when we disobey God and don’t do what He commands. His love for us remains.

Forever. Unending, beginning before the foundations of the world and stretching into eternity, beyond what we can even comprehend. God’s love goes the distance. It continues on as high and wide and long and deep as each direction can stretch, persisting on for all time.

God’s steadfast love endures forever! This is the foundation for God’s gifts to us in Jesus. Don’t skip over or take for granted this powerful truth.

God’s steadfast love endures forever! This refrain forms the rhythm for our lives as God’s people. A rhythm that takes time to not only ask for God’s help but also thanks Him for what He has already done.

As we pray, let’s make time to return thanks back to God, the Giver of all good gifts. His love endures forever. May this truth sustain you for forever.

Discussion Question: What are you thankful for? Challenge yourself to go deeper than the obvious or generic things. For example, instead of saying you’re thankful for family, push yourself to site a specific instance or situation within your family you’re particularly grateful for today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unending love for me shown so clearly in Jesus. I praise You for who You are and the great blessings You’ve given me. Surely, Your steadfast love does endure forever! Amen.

Challenge / take-away activity: Write your own version of Psalm 136. How have you seen God’s love and faithfulness to you in your life? End each line of praise and thanksgiving with the same refrain: “His steadfast love endures forever.”