Hartford Thanksgiving Service- Reflection on Psalm 136

Psalm 136 is a Hallel Psalm, a hallelujah or Psalm of praise. It starts and ends with a call to give thanks to God and throughout reminds us of what it is we should be thankful for.

26 times, in every verse, we are reminded “His faithful love endures forever.” But if you take that verse out and simply read the examples of how His faithful love has endured we get a really neat picture of God’s hand working throughout history.

Psalm 136:1–26 (CSB)

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His faithful love endures forever.

2Give thanks to the God of gods.

3Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

4He alone does great wonders.

He is like NO other that has ever existed.

5He made the heavens skillfully.

6He spread the land on the waters.

7He made the great lights:

8the sun to rule by day,

9the moon and stars to rule by night.

He is the one who created the heavens and the earth through the power of His word.

10He struck the firstborn of the Egyptians

11and brought Israel out from among them

12with a strong hand and outstretched arm.

13He divided the Red Sea

14and led Israel through,

15but hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.

16He led his people in the wilderness.

He is the one who saves, guides, and provides for His people.

17He struck down great kings

18and slaughtered famous kings—

19Sihon king of the Amorites

20and Og king of Bashan—

21and gave their land as an inheritance,

22an inheritance to Israel his servant.

He is the one who conquers enemies, breaks down walls, and brings freedom to those He loves.

23He remembered us in our humiliation

24and rescued us from our foes.

25He gives food to every creature.

He is the one who REMEMBERS us, RESCUES us, and REDEEMDS us.

26Give thanks to the God of heaven!

His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136 is our reminder that God is working in our struggles and in our successes.

He is working in our pain and in our pleasure.

He is working in our weakness and in our strength.

He is working in our sickness and in our well-being.

So, GIVE THANK TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD, HIS FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.