Slices
Prepare
If ever you need reminding that God’s love is everlasting, then this is your psalm! Pray that, as you read it, you will be challenged and encouraged as you consider who God is, and what he has done to show us his great love.
Bible passage
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures for ever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures for ever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures for ever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures for ever.
7 who made the great lights –
His love endures for ever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures for ever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures for ever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures for ever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures for ever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures for ever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures for ever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures for ever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures for ever.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures for ever.
17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures for ever.
18 and killed mighty kings –
His love endures for ever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures for ever.
20 and Og king of Bashan –
His love endures for ever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures for ever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures for ever.
23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures for ever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures for ever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures for ever.
Explore
In Jewish tradition this psalm, intended for congregational singing, is known as the Great Psalm of Praise (Hallel in Hebrew). Like Psalm 135, this joyful prayer of praise and thanksgiving has repetitive phrases which emphasise again and again the nature and character of God. We recognise his goodness and sovereignty with thankfulness (vs 1–3), before reflecting on all that he has made, and done. The psalm concludes with reference to all that God continues to do as he meets our needs (vs 23–25).
So, we see the God of heaven as our creator (vs 4–9), rescuer (vs 10–16) and victor throughout history (vs 17–22), working miraculously to bring about his purposes. Why? Because of his steadfast and never-ending love for us. How tragic that the Ninevites, having turned to God in response to his message through Jonah, face his wrath and judgement when they subsequently reject him and the great love he offers them, despite their wickedness.
This is our opportunity to praise Almighty God, who has reigned supreme throughout history, but also cares for us and loves us for ever. Hallelujah!
Respond
Read through this psalm again slowly, and aloud if possible. Pause every few verses to give thanks to God.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 15,16; 1 Corinthians 7
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the impact of SU Austria’s Lego Town project which visits churches with 450 kg of Lego. Thirty to fifty children build a 10m² Lego Town and the team engage them in conversation and tell Bible stories.
