For His Mercy Endures Forever

"For His mercy endures forever" - is the chorus for this psalm. Each line of that chorus is preceded by a description of who God is or what He has done. The first part reveals God as the Almighty Lord of lords and the creator of the whole universe. It is through Him who made the heavens and earth and the day and night - same as the description from Genesis.

The next part describes God as the personal God of Israel whom He had chosen. We are reminded that it is He who saved the Israelites from Egypt and parted the Red Sea. He is the God who helped them conquer the land promised to them, including defeating the famous, possibly giant kings, Og of Bashan, Sihon of the Amorites. He is the God who rescues His people and provides for them.

And perhaps the theme is also that throughout the continuous trials and sufferings and rebellion of His people, God's mercy for them has been very enduring.



Psalm 136
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

1 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;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
    For His mercy endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings,
    For His mercy endures forever;
18 And slew famous kings,
    For His mercy endures forever—
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
    For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan,
    For His mercy endures forever—
21 And gave their land as a heritage,
    For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant,
    For His mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
    For His mercy endures forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies,
    For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh,
    For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
    For His mercy endures forever.