Ps 136, It starts with thanking God

Psalm 136:1–3 (ESV) —
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;


• Background:
• This psalm is called the "Great Hallel" and is sung at Passover
• The psalm is unique (to the majority) in that it repeats the same refrain
• The leader or leaders would sing the first part and the people respond with the refrain
• There are six major sections or thematic breaks, this could also be done chiastically with a slight change in the latter group of verses … but the application remains the same
• What is the first theme?
• Give thanks
• And what is the reason?
• God's goodness
• God's uniqueness and greatness (also aloneness, alone -- no one is like him)
• What is your favorite NT verse on thankfulness?
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) — 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
• Why is thankfulness so important?
• APPLICATION: When we forget God, one of the primary reasons is that we begin to forget to thank God for where we are and what we have


Psalm 136:4–9 (ESV) —
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;


• What is the second theme? Creation
• Why is it important?
• Romans 1:18–25 (ESV) — 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. // 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
• The very first of the three "God gave them up" s is the rejection of God as creator
• What happens when we reject God as the creator?
• We don't feel we owe him anything or
• We can conclude that he does not exists
• Ultimately, we can forget God (That follows from not thanking him, is just forgetting him)


Psalm 136:10–16 (ESV) —
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;


• What is the third theme? The rescue from Egypt
• What has God rescued you from and why is it important to remember his rescue?
• It shows how much he cares
• It reminds of the depth to which we fell
• It reminds us that not only is he our creator, but he is actively act work in bringing us to where we are today


Psalm 136:17–22 (ESV) —
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.


• What is the fourth theme? He gives us victories over our enemies
• In order for Israel to get to this stage, what had to happen first? (hint: verse 16)
• God had to take his people through the wilderness because of their disobedience
• What has God taken you through or is taking you through?
• Victories follow rescue which follow acknowledgement of his ownership (you are his creation) and an attitude of thankfulness


Psalm 136:23–26 (ESV) —
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.


• The fifth and sixth theme is here. There probably are only five themes. The sixth break takes us back to the beginning theme. What is the fifth theme?
• God is good to us (He remembers, he rescues, he provides)
• For all these reasons, what should we be doing?
• Giving thanks!
• APPLICATION:
• What is your prayer life like these days?
• Do you remember to thank God for everything in your life? Your rescue? Your victories? His love? His care? His goodness?