Lessons from the Psalms: Repeating a Positive Refrain ~ “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever”

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” -Psalm 136:1 (ESV) [Read Psalm 136]

The theme of this hymn of joy is very evident, because each of its 26 verses repeats the refrain: “for his steadfast love endures forever.” It calls on worshipers to give thanks to God who has shown steadfast love through creation (vv. 4-9), through delivery from Egyptian bondage (vv. 10-12), led the people in safety through the Red Sea and in the wilderness (vv. 13-16), won battles for them against strong nations (vv. 17-20), gave them the Promised Land (vv. 21-22), rescued them from foes (vv. 23-24), and nourished them (vv. 23-25). Imagine a congregation learning this spiritual history lesson and responding to each named blessing with a resounding chorus: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” 

It is good to recall what God has done corporately in preserving the life of a chosen people and individually for each person making up that chosen group. I began to think what my “thanksgiving” list would look like, as I catalogued blessings and repeated this refrain from Psalm 136. You might worship God by making your own list. I am still working on mine, day by day adding more blessings. A young lady whom I know and admire says she lists at least three blessings that come to her each day. Here, in part, is my cumulative list over many years:

To Him who placed me in a loving farm family who nourished and strengthened me:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For a childhood of growth, development, school, learning, strong family ties, responsibility:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For hard times that tested, but at the same time strengthened; and comfort in the death of Mother:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For opportunities beyond imagination to achieve, to grow strong in determination and in spirit:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For mentors, friends, caring people who became examples to follow and emulate:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For adulthood, added responsibilities, choosing the right companion, children of my own to rear:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For the ability to make hard choices after weighing alternatives, and for strength to move ahead:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For skills developed and sometimes found, after trial-and-error, but employed in full living:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

For calmness amidst adversity, for strength from God and from others, for coping, revamping:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Life has woven a rich fabric of surprises and expectations, of golden opportunities, hard burdens:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

More journey awaits; I will mount with wings as an eagle, run and not weary, walk and not faint:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118;24)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 05.15.2016