Psalm 136:1-26
Forever His Loving Devotion
Read the passage
1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever.
4He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever.
5By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever.
6He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever.
7He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever.
8the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever.
9the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.
10He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.
11and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.
12with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.
13He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever.
14and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever.
15but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.
16He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.
17He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever.
18and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever.
19Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever.
20and Og king of Bashan—His loving devotion endures forever.
21and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever.
22a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.
23He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever.
24and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.
25He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After every verse comes the same confession: God's loving devotion endures forever. The song gives worshipers words to answer together as they remember what He has done.
He is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the Maker of the heavens, earth, sun, moon, and stars. He also acted in Israel's history. He struck Egypt's firstborn, brought His people out, divided the sea, and led them through while Pharaoh's army was swept away. His rescue included judgment on those who held them captive.
The LORD led Israel through the wilderness, defeated mighty kings, and gave their land to His people. The repeated confession follows those events all the way to the present: He remembered us when we were brought low and freed us from our enemies.
Finally, the song notices food given to every creature. The One who rules creation and rescues His people also sustains ordinary life. His enduring loving devotion is a reason to thank Him for all of it.
Questions
1 What response repeats?
Answer“His loving devotion endures forever” repeats after every act of God's faithfulness.
2 What did God make?
AnswerHe made the heavens, earth, sun, moon, and stars.
3 Whom does God remember?
AnswerHe remembers His people in their low estate and gives food to every creature.
4 Why does the community repeat the refrain?
AnswerRepetition lets the whole congregation confess together that God's faithfulness outlasts every generation and crisis.
What This Means for Us
Try reading this psalm together with one person reading each line and everyone answering with its repeated words. Let the events keep the response from becoming empty: creation, rescue, guidance, and provision each give a reason for thanks.
Then name a particular kindness you have received from God. It may be as ordinary as today's food. Remembering His care together can help someone who is too weary to find many words of their own.
Prayer
God of heaven, thank You for Your enduring loving devotion. You made the world, delivered Your people, and provide food for Your creatures. Remember those who are brought low today, and teach us to recognize and praise Your care together. Amen.