​“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
–Psalm 136:1

​

Annotation: This psalm begins with a call to thanksgiving, focusing on God’s goodness and His eternal love.

​

Note: The repetition of God’s enduring love invites continual thanksgiving.

​

This verse is the opening line of Psalm 136, which is a psalm of thanksgiving that repeats the theme of God’s enduring goodness and love throughout its entirety. It invites the people of Israel (and all believers) to give thanks to God for His goodness, faithfulness, and the eternal nature of His love.
 

Breaking Down the Verse:​

1. “Give thanks to the Lord...”

• This is a call to action, encouraging believers to actively express gratitude toward God. Thanksgiving is an act of worship and a recognition of God’s goodness and mercy in our lives.
   

• The psalmist is inviting the reader to join in praise and adoration of God, acknowledging His supreme worth and holiness. This isn’t just a casual “thank you,” but a heartfelt declaration of God’s greatness and grace.
   

2. “For he is good...”

• God’s goodness refers to His moral excellence, kindness, and benevolence. The phrase acknowledges that everything God does is good, and His character is entirely good—without flaw or corruption. It’s not just that God acts in a kind or gracious way sometimes; His essence is good, and His actions reflect that.
   

• This is an invitation to recognize that all of God’s actions are motivated by goodness, whether we understand them or not. From His creation of the world to His actions in human history, everything God does is an expression of His inherent goodness.
   

3. “His love endures forever.”

• God’s love is eternal, unchanging, and unfailing. The phrase “endures forever” emphasizes that God’s love is not temporary or dependent on our actions, but is constant and enduring. No matter the circumstances, God’s love remains steadfast.
   

• This declaration of God’s eternal love is meant to inspire hope and confidence in believers. It assures them that God’s love never fails—even in the midst of trials, suffering, or difficulty, His love remains unshaken.
   

• The repetition of this idea throughout Psalm 136 (where every verse ends with the phrase “His love endures forever”) highlights the unfailing, eternal nature of God’s love. It’s a central theme of the psalm.
   

Overall Meaning:

Psalm 136:1 is a declaration of praise to God, encouraging thanksgiving for His goodness and the eternal nature of His love. The verse serves as an invitation to worship, recognizing that God’s character is perfect and His love for His people is constant and everlasting.
 

• Thanksgiving is the natural response to recognizing that God is good and that His love is eternal. This calls the believer to not just give thanks for specific blessings but to be continually grateful for who God is in His essence: a God of goodness and love.
   

• This verse is foundational to the psalm, which recounts God’s actions throughout history, especially His deliverance of Israel. By beginning with thanksgiving for God’s goodness and eternal love, the psalm sets the tone for the entire chapter, which is an extended meditation on God’s faithful actions and His enduring love for His people.
   

Key Themes:

1. God’s Goodness: The verse emphasizes that God is inherently good, and everything He does reflects His perfect nature. His goodness is a reason for continuous praise and thankfulness.
    

2. Eternal Love: The psalm focuses on the enduring nature of God’s love. Unlike human love, which can change or fade, God’s love is unfailing and forever. This should be a source of great comfort and assurance for believers.
    

3. Gratitude as Worship: The call to give thanks is a call to worship God, recognizing both His goodness and His love. Thanksgiving is an act of worship, and it’s an important part of a believer’s relationship with God.
    

4. Enduring Faithfulness: God’s love is unchanging, and this steadfast love is a foundation for trust in God, especially in the midst of difficulties or challenges.
    

Application for Believers:

1. Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude: This verse calls believers to live with a heart of thanksgiving. No matter the circumstances, believers are encouraged to recognize and give thanks for God’s goodness and enduring love.
    

2. Reflect on God’s Goodness: When facing difficulties or when life seems challenging, believers can take comfort in remembering that God is good. His character is trustworthy, and everything He does is motivated by His perfect goodness.
    

3. Trust in God’s Unfailing Love: The phrase “His love endures forever” is a reminder that God’s love is eternal and never-ending. No matter what happens in our lives, God’s love remains constant. This can give believers hope and peace, especially in difficult times.
    

4. Respond with Praise: The natural response to recognizing God’s goodness and love is praise. This verse calls believers not only to recognize these attributes of God but to express thanks for them. It is an invitation to worship God with gratitude for who He is.
    

Summary:

Psalm 136:1 is a call to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and the eternal nature of His love. It highlights that God is good in all His actions, and His love endures forever—a love that is constant, unchanging, and always available to those who trust in Him. This verse invites believers to express thanksgiving to God as an act of worship, recognizing the steadfast love of God that is the foundation of their faith and hope.

​​

Additional information:

Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>

​

Next - Philippians 4:6 (Thankful)>>

Main Menu>>