O Give Thanks To The LORD, For He Is Good
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever ...
who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever ...
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
-- Psalm 136:1, 4, 23
Theme: A liturgical thanksgiving
Outline
1-3 -- Give thanks to the LORD, the God of gods and Lord of lords:
4-9 -- creator of all things,
10-22 -- deliverer of Israel, giver of the promised land,
23-25 -- redeemer of his people from exile, provider of food for all the living, and
26 -- the God of heaven.
Notes
• Praise -- Creation/History
• The Great Hallel.
• A liturgical thanksgiving, each verse's refrain was sung as a response to the singer (choir or priest). (See Ezra 3:11; 2 Chronicles 7:3, 6 for examples.)
• "Steadfast love" = (chesed) the word that tells the nature of God's covenant love. This word is used 26 times in this psalm, 114 times in the whole psalter. It is intended to impress upon the people God's loyal faithfulness to them, an unmerited kindness, and to call forth their loyal faithfulness to him.
• This is another example of the "Theology of Recital" in which worshipers cited the saving acts of God, such as we do in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.
For Reflection
• After saying, "for his steadfast love endures forever" 26 times, the phrase is not forgotten. Instead of merely mouthing words, the repetition (memorizing), can cause us to think about its significance for us. Then the Spirit can give an "Aha! Now I see!" experience.
• Memorizing one's favorite psalm or scripture passage can become a means of meditating on the word of God, and the passage becomes an inward treasure instantly available for help in temptations to fear, doubt, despair, and other common assaults on our faith and hope.
Prayer
Lord God, you alone do great wonders. You are faithful to us. Your great wonders are to be seen in the glories of creation, the story of Israel, and your provident care for all life. Most of all your great love is shown in your overcoming our death, bearing away our sin, calling us to life with you through Jesus Christ. We unite with Israel of old, the church through the ages, and the hosts of heaven in giving you thanks and praise, for your steadfast love endures forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
for his steadfast love endures forever ...
who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever ...
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
-- Psalm 136:1, 4, 23
Theme: A liturgical thanksgiving
Outline
1-3 -- Give thanks to the LORD, the God of gods and Lord of lords:
4-9 -- creator of all things,
10-22 -- deliverer of Israel, giver of the promised land,
23-25 -- redeemer of his people from exile, provider of food for all the living, and
26 -- the God of heaven.
Notes
• Praise -- Creation/History
• The Great Hallel.
• A liturgical thanksgiving, each verse's refrain was sung as a response to the singer (choir or priest). (See Ezra 3:11; 2 Chronicles 7:3, 6 for examples.)
• "Steadfast love" = (chesed) the word that tells the nature of God's covenant love. This word is used 26 times in this psalm, 114 times in the whole psalter. It is intended to impress upon the people God's loyal faithfulness to them, an unmerited kindness, and to call forth their loyal faithfulness to him.
• This is another example of the "Theology of Recital" in which worshipers cited the saving acts of God, such as we do in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.
For Reflection
• After saying, "for his steadfast love endures forever" 26 times, the phrase is not forgotten. Instead of merely mouthing words, the repetition (memorizing), can cause us to think about its significance for us. Then the Spirit can give an "Aha! Now I see!" experience.
• Memorizing one's favorite psalm or scripture passage can become a means of meditating on the word of God, and the passage becomes an inward treasure instantly available for help in temptations to fear, doubt, despair, and other common assaults on our faith and hope.
Prayer
Lord God, you alone do great wonders. You are faithful to us. Your great wonders are to be seen in the glories of creation, the story of Israel, and your provident care for all life. Most of all your great love is shown in your overcoming our death, bearing away our sin, calling us to life with you through Jesus Christ. We unite with Israel of old, the church through the ages, and the hosts of heaven in giving you thanks and praise, for your steadfast love endures forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
