Psalm 136 Giving Thanks for God - Something you don’t see too often

Things you don’t often see – Photos (cow on car)

Another thing that we too seldom see – People of thanks / Even Christians of thanks

Giving thanks for God Himself

Not just thankful for the things God gives – but for God Himself

Remember what He has done and be thankful for Him

Worship Him

Title Psalm 136 is David offering thanks for God Himself.

(NKJV) Psalms 136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

Something you don’t see too often

Someone giving thanks for God

I. Giving thanks for God: The amazing God

A. The only God Ps 136:2

(NKJV) Psalms 136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

1. All others false

All others unworthy to surrender to

2. He rules the all

B. Goodness is His character Ps 136:1

(NKJV) Psalms 136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

C. He acts in this world Ps 136:4

(NKJV) Psalms 136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

1. Active in a significant way

D. His Mercy endures forever Ps 136:1b, 2b, 3b, 4b

(NKJV) Psalms 136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

1. Covenant love

Never ends

II. Giving thanks for God: The creative creator

Psalms 136 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever— 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.

A. Revealing His Wisdom

1. An everyday reminder of His greatness

Not a ‘ mother nature’

2. Not a marvel of evolution

But a display of an amazingly wise creator

a. Fits it all together

Interdependence

b. Self healing and propagating

Infinite in its scope / macro and mini

3. A delightful display of God and a work of ‘steadfast love

a. Nature reveals His power and wisdom

But from direct revelation we know it is a display of His steadfast love

B. Revealing His power Romans 1:20-21

(ESV) Romans 1 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

1. The reason for all these wonderful things – Us – God made them for us

III. Giving thanks for God: The redeemer

A. Saves

Psalms 136 11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever;

12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever; 14 And made Israel pass throughthe midst of it, For His mercy endures forever;

1. Broke the slave master

Leads His people out

2. Exercises powerful actions

B. Judges

Psalms 136 10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; … 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever;

1. Divided – cut in half

Pharaoh – Shaking like a dog a rat

2. Same means for salvation also brings judgment

IV. Giving thanks for God: The shepherd/conqueror

A. Leads even wandering people

Psalms 136 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever;

1. In the midst of rebellion God still at work

Leading / providing

B. Gives victory over opposition

Psalms 136 17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; 18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever— 19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever—

1. Even when unworthy

Defeats the enemy – no matter how great

C. Fulfills promises of blessing

21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; 22 A heritage to Israel His servant,For His mercy endures forever.

1. Rewards based on His promises

Faithful to bless

V. Giving thanks for God: The deliverer who keeps pursuing

A. Pursues the unworthy

Psalms 136 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.

1. A recall of what went before, but also an indication of His on going activity

Rescues

2. Nourishes

B. Worthy of thanks

Psalms 136 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.

1. God of heaven – all peoples – more than just Israel