World English Bible

Psalm 136

Psalm 136 is structured by a refrain repeated after every line: God's loving kindness endures forever. The repetition gives the poem a communal, responsive shape while a sequence of acts moves through creation, deliverance from Egypt, wilderness victories, land, rescue, and provision. The refrain does not ignore the severity of some remembered events; it interprets Israel's story through covenant faithfulness. Reading it aloud reveals how repetition turns historical memory into shared thanksgiving.

1Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

2Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

3Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

4To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

5To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

6To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

7To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

8The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

9The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

10To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

11And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

13To him who divided the Red Sea{or, Sea of Reeds} apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; for his loving kindness endures forever;

15But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea{or, Sea of Reeds}; for his loving kindness endures forever:

16To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

17To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

18And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

19Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

20Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

21And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

22Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

23Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

24And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

25Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

26Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Related Resources

Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).