The Word Made Fresh
1Give thanks to the LORD, who is good.
(God’s love endures forever!)
2Give thanks to the God of Gods.
(God’s love endures forever!)
3Give thanks to the LORD of lords.
(God’s love endures forever!)
4Only the LORD performs great deeds.
(God’s love endures forever!)
5The LORD fashioned the heavens.
(God’s love endures forever!)
6The LORD spread the earth out over the waters.
(God’s love endures forever!)
7The LORD made the bright lights in the sky –
(God’s love endures forever!)
8the sun to watch over the day
(God’s love endures forever!)
9and the moon and stars to watch over the night.
(God’s love endures forever!)
10The LORD struck down the firstborn of Egypt
(God’s love endures forever!)
11and brought Israel out from there
(God’s love endures forever!)
12with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.
(God’s love endures forever!)
13The LORD separated the waters of the Red Sea
(God’s love endures forever!)
14and led Israel across safely through it.
(God’s love endures forever!)
15The LORD threw Pharaoh and his army into the waters,
(God’s love endures forever!)
16then led the people through the wilderness.
(God’s love endures forever!)
17The LORD struck down great kings
(God’s love endures forever!)
18and killed famous monarchs:
(God’s love endures forever!)
19Sihon, king of the Amorites
(God’s love endured forever!)
20and Og, king of Bashan.
(God’s love endures forever!)
21The LORD gave their territories as an inheritance,
(God’s love endures forever!)
22an inheritance for God’s servant, Israel.
(God’s love endures forever!)
23The LORD remembered us when we were brought low,
(God’s love endures forever!)
24and saved us from our enemies.
(God’s love endures forever!)
25The LORD provides sustenance for all living things.
(God’s love endures forever!)
26So, give thanks to the LORD of heaven.
(God’s love endures forever!)
Commentary
1-3: Every one of the twenty-six verses in this psalm contains a declaration followed by, “God’s love endures forever!” The opening verses are a call to give thanks to God.
4-9: The psalm is then presented in two primary sections. This first section glorifies God for creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.
10-22: This second section glorifies God for bringing Israel out of Egypt and establishing them in the Promised Land.
23-26: A summary statement of God’s acts on behalf of Israel closes out the psalm, the last verse echoing the first.
Takeaway
Today is a good day to make a list of the ways God has brought you through life, from the day you were born to this day. Remember parents, family, friends, teachers, and so forth. Remember events which shaped you and taught you about life. Remember disappointments that proved to be a blessing in the long run. Give thanks to the LORD for steadfast love, for God’s love does indeed endure forever.