GREAT PRAISE
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.
His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He alone does great wonders.
His loving devotion endures forever.
By His insight He made the heavens.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He spread out the earth upon the waters.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He made the great lights—
His loving devotion endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His loving devotion endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His loving devotion endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His loving devotion endures forever.
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He divided the Red Sea in two
His loving devotion endures forever.
and led Israel through the midst,
His loving devotion endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He led His people through the wilderness.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He struck down great kings
His loving devotion endures forever.
and slaughtered mighty kings—
His loving devotion endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His loving devotion endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His loving devotion endures forever.
and He gave their land as an inheritance,
His loving devotion endures forever.
a heritage to His servant Israel.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His loving devotion endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His loving devotion endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven!
His loving devotion endures forever.
Psalm 136 (BSB) (Hallel HaGadol meaning Great Praise)
We have included Psalm 136 in its entirety because the verses containing the words “Give thanks” do not tell us for what the Psalmist was thankful. This psalm would be an antiphonal or responsive reading in which the soloist or priest would make a statement, and the congregation would respond with the refrain “His loving devotion endures forever. “Loving devotion” can also be translated “loving-kindness”, “mercy”, or in the Complete Jewish Study Bible, it is translated “grace”. The psalmist was recounting God’s faithful care of the nation of Israel.
Challenge: Write your own psalm praising the Lord for specific examples of His loving devotion in your own life. We will share ours with you as the next devotional.
Father, we thank You, the God above all gods, the King above all kings, the Creator of all we know that You extend Your loving-kindness to us daily.
Give thanks as you sing “Forever” with Chris Tomlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUH_NzfRmbs