One of my favourite things to say is “thank you”, although some people might think we shouldn’t say it too often. Their reason is that when others do what’s expected of them (like a plumber fixing your dripping tap), it’s not necessary to express gratitude. Still, I’m thankful for the expression “thank you”. It’s good for both the receiver and the giver. The receiver is acknowledging the blessing of the service, whether required or not, and the giver knows he has been appreciated and not taken for granted. Psalm 136 is a wonderful psalm of thanksgiving to the one who, above all others, deserves our adoration and praise.

Like the previous psalm, Psalm 136 begins and ends with a call to grateful praise (vv. 1–3, 26). Similarly, the reasons for praise fill up the rest of the psalm, and the psalmist thanks God for two things. This time, he extols God for His work in creation (vv. 4–9)
and salvation (vv. 10–25). What’s distinctive about today’s psalm is the refrain that expresses God’s unceasing love and commitment to His people. One can easily imagine the whole congregation joining in by singing this chorus.

God is first thanked for His wonderful work of creation. The picture in the Hebrew verses is that of a master metalworker beating out of the earth over the waters (v. 6). Even His creation of the “great lights”, which we probably take for granted, is an expression of His enduring love. The alternative would be perpetual darkness, which will be the terrifying destiny of the wicked (see Matthew 8:12).

The psalm then moves seamlessly into thanking God for His great act of salvation. He brought Israel out of captivity in Egypt and into their promised land. Now, Christians testify that, in a similar, but more wonderful way, God has saved us. Let’s make Psalm 136 our song of salvation, too (I’ll let you fill in the refrain “His love endures for ever”).

To Him who struck down the power of sin,
and brought us out from its rule and authority,
with nail-pierced hands and outstretched arms.

To Him who parted the curtain and brought us into the presence of our God,
who swept aside Satan and his army, casting him out of heaven.

To Him who leads His people through the wilderness;
to Him who struck down the powers and principalities
and killed the mighty dragon, Satan, and his servants—
the beast from the sea
and the beast from the earth—
and gave the new creation as an inheritance, an inheritance to His people from every tribe, nation, and tongue.

He remembered us in our low estate
and freed us from our enemies.
He feeds all His people with the bread of life.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures for ever.