A Psalm of Thanksgiving

When you read Psalm 136, you might see why I’ve called it a psalm of

thanksgiving. The first three verses say, Give thanks. This Psalm was

written to be a group song of thanks, meaning that one person or part of

the group would sing the first line, then the majority of the group would

sing back, His love endures forever.

But what exactly is the psalmor songthanking God for? Each verse thanks

Him for a specific thing in Israel’s history. The verses can be grouped

together to find four main themes about God’s actions and character that

the singers were thanking Him for.

First, in verses 1-9, they thank God for what He has made: the heavens, the

waters, and the light. These verses praise God for being the Creator.

Second, in verses 10-16, they thank God for saving Israel from slavery in

Egypt by striking down the firstborn, dividing the Red Sea, and leading the

Israelites (along with many other people, see Exodus 12:38) through the

wilderness. By saving them from slavery, God revealed that He is the

Redeemer.

Third, in verses 17-22, they thank God for striking down their enemies so

that Israel could live in the land that He had promised them as their

inheritance. Israel praises God for being the great Conqueror.

Fourth, in verses 23-26, they thank God for remembering them, for freeing

them from captivity, and for feeding all living creatures. They praise God

for being the Deliverer.

God is not only the Creator, Redeemer, Conqueror, and Deliver for the

people who sang this psalm many years ago; He is also all these things for

us today! He created us and everything around us. Through dying on the

cross and rising from the dead for us, JesusGod the Sonredeemed us from

sin, delivered us from death, and conquered all evil, and He will one day

return to deliver all of creation from captivity to decay, brokenness, and

death. What a thing to be able to thank Him for! Kimberly Brokish

Have you seen God acting as the Creator, Redeemer, Conqueror, or

Deliverereither in Scripture, in your own life, or in someone else’s life?

Consider taking some time to thank God for who He is and what He has done.

How could it be helpful to look back on your own life to remember the

things God has done for you?

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:26

(NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 136