Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1 ESV)

I read Psalm 136 this morning. It has 26 verses and 26 times this refrains repeats: for his steadfast love endures forever.

That caught my attention.

The psalmist could have easily started with verse one and then continued with the next 24 verses describing this awesome God of ours and what he has done. The psalmist could have then closed with something about God’s enduring steadfast love (just in case we forgot). But to read Psalm 136 in that way; taking out the “for his steadfast love endures forever” refrain, just doesn’t seem right. God’s steadfast is so much more awesome than that and therefore it needs to be repeated over and over and over again. Because, let’s face it, we have bad memories therefore we need this refrain; in the good times and the bad.

God created everything,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus was born for you and for me,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus forgave sins,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus suffered beatings, mockings and the cross,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus died,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus rose,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus lives,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

And Jesus will come again,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

That’s sounds about right.

Thank you God, for your amazing, enduring steadfast love. Thank you for enduring with me even though I am a sinner. Thank you for enduring with me even though I stray away. Thank you for enduring with me when I become complacent in the good times. Thank you for enduring with me when I feel lost in the bad times. May all give you praise and glory for your enduring steadfast love, Amen.

The Pastor -|—