The psalmist has written 26 verses in Psalm 136, each ending with a common response to who God is and what God has done for us. It's not hard to come up with a theme and title for this psalm! Knowing this psalm and every word of Scripture is God-given, here we have God Himself reminding us that His steadfast love endures forever. Since I haven't included all verses, you may want to open your Bible and read through all of them. While the repetition may feel tedious, it's a great reminder of God's never-ending love and forgiveness for YOU. God is always faithful in His mercy, and gives it to YOU over-and-over-and-over!
PSALM 136:1–3, 23–26
1 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;
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.
In the first three verses God calls us to be thankful, not only that the Lord is good, but also that He is God and Lord over all nations, kings, and all people. In verses 4-9 we are reminded that God shows His steadfast love by the great wonders in His created natural world. In verses 10-22 the psalmist reminds us of God's steadfast love and faithfulness shown as God rescued His children from slavery in Egypt and established them in the land He promised to give them.
In the final section of this psalm [verses 23-26 above], the focus becomes more personal. The one true God, who created and is Lord over all things, remembers YOU! You're not just one of billions of people currently breathing air on this earth; YOU are a loved and remembered child of God, whose steadfast love for YOU endures forever! Give thanks to the Lord, who rescues YOU from many earthly disasters, struggles and foes. And even better, God ALWAYS rescues you from the evil foe, the devil and all the sins he tempts you to commit. Give thanks to the Lord, who gives to YOU food and all other needs and comforts of your life!
Let's all pause many times today to commit verse one of this psalm to memory, and actually do what it says!
Giving thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love,
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