Psalm 136 Nkjv (2024)

FAQs

What is the main idea of Psalm 136? ›

Psalm 136 is a hymn of praise that can be broken up into different sections, but the overarching message remains the same: The phrase "His love endures forever," is reiterated 26 times, so that we can be reminded 26 times of this truth. This seemingly endless reiteration mirrors the endlessness of God's love and mercy.

Psalm 136, then, doesn't use repetition for repetition's sake. It uses it to make a thematic point. Because God's steadfast love endures forever, it reveals itself in all of His actions. Everything that God does, we can trace back to His enduring, steadfast love.

The term Great Hallel (Hallel HaGadol), meaning "great praise", is used to refer to Psalm 136. It is called "great" to differentiate it from the Egyptian Hallel, another prayer of praise comprising psalms 113 to 118.

Because God is faithful to his covenant even when we are not, he consistently demonstrates grace, mercy, and kindness after kindness. Therefore, the psalmist is saying much more than God is merciful. He is really saying that God's steadfast and loyal love causes his mercy to endure forever.

Gracious God, As I reflect on Psalm 136, my heart overflows with gratitude for Your enduring love and faithfulness. I am reminded that Your love endures forever, and Your faithfulness continues through all generations. Thank You for Your steadfast presence in my life.

Psalms teaches us to neither ignore our pain nor let it determine our lives. God will fulfill his promises from the Torah and send the Messiah. This book is all about the lament, praise, faith, and hope of God's people.

Your sin, my sin, Adam & Eve's sin breaks God's heart! Every choice to not believe the truth, worship things, or act selfishly grieves our heavenly Father.

You will come to know God as you read the Psalms.

As the Psalms teach you to pray, they will also tell you much about the God you are praying to. They will tell you of his tenderness, his power, his enduring love, his discipline, his holiness, his justice, his joy, and his kindness.

In its opening lines, Psalm 136 refers to God as “LORD” (Yahweh), “God” (Elohim), and “Lord” (Adon). The first of these descriptions is the personal name of God. It suggests that he is eternal and faithful. The others – Elohim and Adon – are generic but appreciate the divinity and preeminence of God.

The phrase “His love endures forever” is repeated 26 times. You might think then this psalm is all about love. But this psalm is not just about God's love; it is also a psalm of thanksgiving. As the writer one by one declared God's mighty acts for His people, God's people responded in humility.

What does Hallel mean in Hebrew? ›

Hallel, (Hebrew: “Praise”), Jewish liturgical designation for Psalms 113–118 (“Egyptian Hallel”) as read in synagogues on festive occasions. In ancient times Jews recited these hymns on the three Pilgrim Festivals, when they offered their required sacrifices in the Temple of Jerusalem.

At the end of the Passover meal, Matthew and Mark state that the disciples sang a hymn with Jesus before departing. While Scripture doesn't explicitly state which hymn was sang, Jewish tradition reveals that the Passover meal was concluded by singing the last portion of the Hallel.

The never-ending mercy of God – His lovingkindness, His grace, His loyal love – will never stop finding a way to bless and help His people. ii. Spurgeon suggested many things that Psalm 136 as a whole teaches: The past, present, or future will not end His mercy.

When we can't find anyone to turn to for help, God's mercy endures forever. When each day is a struggle because of illness, despair, or conflict, His mercy endures forever. Whenever life seems overwhelming, we can still praise the Lord, as the psalmist did—for God's mercy is always new and fresh.

How encouraging is it that God pours out His love for us that His mercies are new everyday. Everyday is a new day in which we can move in a direction that defines our eternity. Our contentment is not found in the things of this world, but in God's constant and consistent mercy; His saving grace.

Psalm 136 is a great place to go when our children's response, to “God loves you!” is “But …” (It's great for us, when that's our response, too!) It takes a simple, foundational truth – “God's love endures forever” – and fleshes it out with physical, solid, tangible evidence.

Through the Psalms, we learn about the importance of prayer and the acknowledgment of pain, as well as the power of praise and fulfillment of prophecy. This book has been designed as a prayer book for God's people as they wait for the arrival of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Psalm 136:1-9 KJV

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: For his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:1–3 Leads Us to Pray For Others

God, we pray that you would help them in just fresh ways with fresh power from your spirit to proclaim your steadfast love to the people around them.