Psalm Photos - 136 - Benji
Psalm 136
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
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There seems to be a theme from yesterday into today...something about permanence and things that last. I want to introduce you to Benji (yes, he looks like Snoopy, but he's Benji). Benji was given to me when I was a very young little guy and he was my favorite stuffed animal. Ask my dad sometime about when I thought I left him in a hotel in San Diego on a family vacation. But he was always with me as I went to bed when I was very young. He even had a special little outfit that I made for him out of a little piece of cloth. Well, I don't sleep with Benji anymore, but he still runs around our house courtesy of my stuffed animal loving children. He's been with us for nearly 40 years now and he continues to bring comfort and care to children. This Psalm is known as the Great Hallel, or The Great Praise - it is an incredible song of thanksgiving as it recounts the many ways that the people have experienced the love of God throughout their history. God's steadfast love endures forever. Forever. Forever. Whether its when we are a child or as we have grown into adults, God's steadfast love remains the same and strong.