Psalms

Psalms 136: His loving kindness endures forever

Begin in prayer

Before the repeated answer follows God's works of creation and rescue, let us remember the mercies we have passed over. Ask Him to lead us to Jesus and give us voices ready to thank Him.

I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in loving kindness, and in compassion.

Hosea 2:19

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the good Lord shows His lasting loving kindness through His works and provision. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The people are called to thank the good Lord, the God above gods and Lord above lords. His wonders made the heavens, earth and ruling lights, and every remembered act is answered with His lasting loving kindness. He struck Egypt's firstborn, brought Israel out and divided the Red Sea, leading His people through while overthrowing Pharaoh and his army. He led Israel through the wilderness and defeated great kings, including Sihon and Og, giving their land to His servant Israel. He remembered His people in their low condition and delivered them from adversaries. Food for every creature leads into one more call to thank the God of heaven.

As you read Psalms 136, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The good LORD shows His lasting loving kindness in creation, righteous rescue, remembered mercy and food for every creature.

The repeated answer gives every work of God the same ground for thanksgiving, His loving kindness endures forever. The triune God made heaven, earth and all their lights from nothing by His word in six days, and everything was good. Wisdom and power in the created order therefore belong within His people's confession of kindness. The same refrain follows the death of Egypt's firstborn and the overthrow of Pharaoh's army, naming righteous judgment within Israel's rescue. Safe passage through the sea and guidance through the wilderness show the care that brought His servant people onward. God killed mighty kings, including Sihon and Og, and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance. Remembering their low condition joins the rescue history to their own confession of dependence on His kindness. Finally His open care reaches every creature's food, giving daily life a place in the thanks offered to heaven's God.

How does Psalm 136 show us that the good LORD shows His lasting loving kindness in creation, righteous rescue, remembered mercy and food for every creature?

The good LORD's wise creation calls for thanks to His lasting kindness.

God alone does great wonders. He made the heavens, spread out the earth and gave the lights their rule over day and night. Every work receives the same confession of His lasting loving kindness.

The LORD's righteous rescue and guidance show His lasting kindness to His people.

Egypt's firstborn died, and Pharaoh's army was overthrown while Israel passed through the sea. God led His people through the wilderness. He defeated Sihon and Og and gave their land as an inheritance.

The LORD remembers the lowly and feeds His creatures with lasting kindness.

The people confess that God remembered them in their low condition. He delivered them from adversaries. The God of heaven also gives food to every creature, so thanks reaches from rescue into daily provision.

Memorise

Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what mercy am I receiving without thanking the Lord Jesus?

Every remembered work receives the answer, “for his loving kindness endures forever.” Creation, rescue and daily food belong within that confession. God's people remember how He saw them in their low condition.

Our thankless sin leaves us deserving the righteous judgment this song remembers. Jesus died in His people's place under God's righteous judgment, securing mercy for thankless sinners who could never repay His kindness. He rose victorious. His completed sacrifice is enough for their forgiveness and enduring life with God, with the whole saving debt paid.

Turn from ingratitude and trust Jesus Christ. Everyone who seeks pardon through Him is forgiven. Name the daily mercies you have overlooked, and ask Him for a thankful heart. His loving kindness endures forever, and His people give thanks for each meal and each rescue.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the good Lord shows His lasting loving kindness through His works and provision. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His enduring loving kindness in creation, righteous rescue and daily food. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired.

John 6:11

Good Lord, Your loving kindness endures forever. Please forgive our forgotten thanks and bring us to Jesus for the pardon His finished sacrifice secures. Teach our children to recognise Your wise works, take Your judgments seriously and receive their food with gratitude. Remember Your people in their low condition and make Your rescue the subject of our praise. Amen.