Psalm 136:1-15 NKJV
136 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;
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.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
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 through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
Psalm 136 is a song of thanksgiving for the LORD’s mercy that “endures forever.” The opening verse is repeated in several Psalms and is found in many post-Communion liturgies. It’s one of the verses Martin Luther included in the mealtime prayers in his Small Catechism, and many Christians continue to say it before or after a meal. Psalm 136 fleshes out the Lord’s “goodness” for us and reminds us of His “mercy” (also translated “goodness, “love,” and “steadfast love”) toward mankind in general and toward the people of Israel in particular.
Today’s reading highlights the LORD’s goodness and mercy shown in the creation of the universe and in the redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt.
First, the Psalmist identifies the One to whom we are to give thanks: He is the LORD, Yahweh, the only true God, the one who “is.” He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. No mighty man, no powerful angel, no wicked demon, and no false god or idol can stand against our good and gracious God.
Then, the Psalmist recounts the wonders of God in creation: how, on Day 2 of the creation week, He stretched out the heavens in wisdom—wisdom that we, perhaps, can appreciate even more than previous generations could, having a greater understanding of the vastness and complexity of space. He calls on us to give thanks for how, on Day 3, the Lord made the dry land on which we live, and how, on Day 4, He placed the sun, moon, and stars in their place to give us light, to govern our seasons, and to make things grow.
Finally, the Psalmist recounts the wonders of God in overthrowing Pharaoh and the Egyptians, with signs and great miracles, proving again His goodness and His steadfast love toward the people whom He had chosen, in His mercy, to know and to serve Him and to be the carriers of the promise of the coming Christ. Let us pray: Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks to You, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, for You are good and merciful, gracious and kind, and Your mercy endures forever. Amen.