A Psalm of Thanks

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

6 To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

7 To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:

8 The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

10 To Him who smote the Egyptians in their firstborn,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

11 And brought Israel out from their midst,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

12 With a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

13 To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

15 But He overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

17 To Him who smote great kings,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

18 And slew mighty kings,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

20 And Og, king of Bashan,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

21 And gave their land as a heritage,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

22 Even a heritage to Israel His servant,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

24 And has rescued us from our adversaries,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

25 Who gives food to all flesh,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Just as the Israelites had so much to thank and praise the Lord for, so do we. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may our hearts not be focused simply on the food, seeing family, or even speaking short phrases of "I'm thankful for . . ." merely out of tradition. May we live in daily thanks for what the Lord has done for us: salvation, justification, sanctification. Food to eat, warm homes to live in, family and friends to gather with. The freedom to worship Him freely and read His Word daily. Homework to do, jobs to work at; toothbrushes and toothpaste. Eyes to see the beauty of His creation, cars to drive, intricately created snow.

I pray that our entire lives will flow forth with thanksgiving and awe for the Lord and for all that He has done. For all that He has done because "His lovingkindness is everlasting". Praise the Lord!!