O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
—Psalm 136:1
This Psalm is wholly devoted to the praise of God’s mercy. In each of the twenty‑six verses, we have the expression, “His mercy endureth forever.” The psalmist was full of this glad thought. Our hearts, too, should be filled with this blessed assurance. The everlasting, unchangeable mercy of God is cause for unceasing praise and thanksgiving.
Read what is said about God’s mercy in the well-known Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:…who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (verses 2, 4). Of all God’s other attributes, mercy is the crown. May it be a crown upon my head and in my life!
“The Lord is merciful and gracious…and plenteous in mercy” (verse 8). As wonderful as God’s greatness is, so infinite is His mercy: “As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear him” (verse 11). What a thought! As high as heaven is above the earth, so immeasurably and inconceivably great is the mercy of God while He waits to bestow His richest blessing.
“The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him” (verse 17). Here again the psalmist spoke of God’s boundless lovingkindness and mercy.
How frequently we have read these familiar words without the least thought of their immeasurable greatness! Be still, and meditate until your heart responds in the words of Psalm 36: “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens” (verse 5); “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings” (verse 7); “O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee” (verse 10).
Take time to thank God with great joy for the wonderful mercy with which He crowns your life, and say: “Thy lovingkindness is better than life” (Psalm 63:3).