Twenty-six verses. Twenty-six times. Throughout Psalm 136, with every other line, the anthem rings. “For his steadfast love endures forever.”
The psalm may very well have been sung “responsively” throughout Israel’s history with a priest or king singing the first line of each verse and the congregation responding as one—“for his steadfast love endures forever”—back and forth, over and over again (2 Chron 7:3, 6; Ezra 3:11).
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psa 136:1-3)
As the hymn unfolds, the psalmist leads the congregation to reflect on four manifestations of God’s everlasting faithfulness: creation (136:4-9), Israel’s deliverance from slavery (136:10-16), the heritage of a promised homeland (136:17-22), and the LORD’s gracious, ongoing provision for their daily needs (136:23-25). What a powerful framework of praise to adopt as our own! Our God is good and this first day of a new week is a fresh opportunity to “give thanks” to the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
He is the Creator of the world and the great wonders that fill it.
…to him who by understanding made the heavens…
…to him who spread out the earth above the waters…
…to him who made the great lights…
…the sun to rule over the day…
…the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever…
He is the Savior of slaves in bondage to sin.
…to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever…
He is the Designer and Builder of a promised homeland—a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever…
He is the gracious Provider of our most basic, daily needs.
…he who gives food to all flesh…
In every direction we look–north, south, east, and west; up, down, and all around–the ancient anthem continues to ring true. He is Creator, Savior, Leader, and Provider, and his steadfast love endures forever.
May those five words inspire our worship today. May they fuel your spirit and echo in every corner of your heart throughout the week.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever. (136:26)
Happy Lord’s day.