What happens in Psalms 136

Known as 'The Great Hallel.' Every one of its 26 verses ends with the refrain 'His faithful love endures forever.' It celebrates God's creation, the Exodus, and his ongoing care for his people.

Psalms 136

Give Thanks — His Love Endures Forever

Study note

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Give thanks to the God of gods and Lord of lords — his faithful love endures forever.

1 Thank the LORD, because he is good. His loyal love never runs out. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Thank the God who is above all gods. His loyal love never runs out. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Thank the Lord who is above all lords. His loyal love never runs out. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God the Creator

Study note

God alone does great wonders. He made the heavens, spread the earth on the waters, and made the great lights — the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night. His love endures forever.

4 He alone does incredible wonders. His loyal love never runs out. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 He made the sky with amazing wisdom. His loyal love never runs out. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 He stretched out the land over the waters. His loyal love never runs out. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 He created the great lights in the sky. His loyal love never runs out. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 He gave us the sun to rule the daytime. His loyal love never runs out. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 He gave us the moon and stars to rule the nighttime. His loyal love never runs out. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God the Deliverer

Study note

He struck down the firstborn of Egypt and brought Israel out. He divided the Red Sea and led his people through. He led them through the wilderness, struck down great kings, and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance. His love endures forever.

10 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt. His loyal love never runs out. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 He brought Israel out from that land. His loyal love never runs out. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 He did it with a powerful hand and an arm stretched out wide. His loyal love never runs out. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 He split the Red Sea right down the middle. His loyal love never runs out. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 He led Israel straight through it. His loyal love never runs out. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 He tossed Pharaoh and his whole army into the Red Sea. His loyal love never runs out. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 He guided his people through the empty wilderness. His loyal love never runs out. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 He brought down great kings. His loyal love never runs out. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 He defeated mighty kings. His loyal love never runs out. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon the king of the Amorites. His loyal love never runs out. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan. His loyal love never runs out. And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 He handed over their land as a gift. His loyal love never runs out. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 A gift to his servant Israel. His loyal love never runs out. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God Remembers Us

Study note

He remembered us in our low condition and freed us from our enemies. He gives food to every living creature. Give thanks to the God of heaven — his faithful love endures forever.

23 When we were at our lowest, he remembered us. His loyal love never runs out. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 He snatched us away from our enemies. His loyal love never runs out. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 He provides food for every living creature. His loyal love never runs out. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 Thank the God of heaven! His loyal love never runs out. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Themes in Psalms 136

His faithful love endures forever — the great refrainGod as Creator, deliverer, and providerRemembering the exodus and the conquestGratitude as the rhythm of faith

Living Psalms 136

Twenty-six times this psalm declares, 'His faithful love endures forever.' Some truths need repetition because we forget so easily. Whatever you are going through today, read this refrain out loud. His love endured through creation, through the Red Sea, through the wilderness, and it endures through your situation right now.

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Psalms 136
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