Return to site

Psalm 136

Jorine Johnson

April 16, 2016

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.

This is one of my favorite psalms especially in the refrain that is repeated. “His love endures forever” is a great and foundational truth for every believer. God’s love does endure or lasts forever. It is the eternal love of God that is sustained forever. This means that God’s love does not dry up or fall short even though we certainly do. Whatever situation we may find ourselves, we can know for certain that God is truly for us and His love is enough for us. 

1 Corinthians gives explanation of God’s love but verse 8 says a powerful statement that God’s love never fails. Romans 8:38-39 says how nothing can separate us from the love of God. And that is true because it is an enduring love that binds and protects us. 

This is also a psalm of thanksgiving to God. His goodness, faithfulness, beauty in creation, and all that He does demonstrates the power of God in who He is and what He is capable of. God’s miraculous powers are demonstrated and for the psalmist, this is a psalm of remembrance toward God. He does much for His people — the evidence is all over scriptures and in this case it is explained and seen in the Exodus account and God’s great deliverance for His people. 

What have we to be afraid or worried? We serve the living God who rules and reigns, the God above all gods and the Lord above all lords. He rescues His people. He made creation and sustains it even though He could sooner destroy everything. God’s love and mercy endures because He loves us so.