Psalm 136:25
He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
This phrase highlights God's providence and care for all His creation. Biblically, this reflects the idea found in Genesis 1:29-30, where God provides plants for food to both humans and animals. The provision of food is a testament to God's sustaining power and His role as the Creator who maintains the order of the world. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, agriculture was central to life, and the dependence on God for rain and harvest was a constant reminder of His provision. This phrase also connects to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:26, where He points out that God feeds the birds of the air, emphasizing trust in God's provision. Theologically, this provision can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the Bread of Life, providing spiritual sustenance to all who come to Him.

His loving devotion endures forever.
This phrase is a recurring refrain throughout Psalm 136, emphasizing the steadfast and eternal nature of God's love. The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "chesed," which encompasses mercy, kindness, and covenantal faithfulness. This enduring love is a central theme in the Old Testament, seen in God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and His faithfulness to Israel despite their unfaithfulness. Historically, this would have been a source of comfort and assurance to the Israelites, especially during times of exile or hardship. Theologically, this enduring love is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death and resurrection demonstrate the ultimate act of God's steadfast love, offering eternal life to all who believe. This phrase assures believers of God's unchanging nature and His eternal commitment to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the provider and sustainer of all life. His actions are motivated by His enduring loving devotion.

2. Every Creature
This phrase encompasses all living beings, highlighting God's provision for all of creation, not just humanity.

3. Psalm 136
Known as the "Great Hallel," this psalm is a liturgical hymn of thanksgiving, emphasizing God's enduring mercy and loving devotion through a repetitive refrain.
Teaching Points
God's Provision is Universal
God provides for all creatures, demonstrating His care and sovereignty over creation. This should inspire trust in His provision for our needs.

Enduring Loving Devotion
The phrase "His loving devotion endures forever" is a reminder of God's unchanging nature. His love and care are constant, regardless of circumstances.

Gratitude and Worship
Recognizing God's provision should lead us to gratitude and worship. Psalm 136 is a call to remember and give thanks for God's enduring mercy.

Dependence on God
Understanding that God provides for every creature encourages us to depend on Him rather than our own efforts or resources.

Stewardship of Creation
As recipients of God's provision, we are called to be good stewards of the resources He provides, ensuring that we care for creation responsibly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does recognizing God's provision for "every creature" influence your perspective on His care for you personally?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's provision in your daily life?

3. How does the theme of God's enduring loving devotion in Psalm 136:25 encourage you in times of uncertainty or need?

4. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate trust in God's provision, as taught in Matthew 6:26?

5. How can you apply the principle of stewardship in your life, ensuring that you care for the resources God has entrusted to you?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1
The creation account establishes God as the Creator and sustainer of life, setting the foundation for His provision for all creatures.

Matthew 6:26
Jesus teaches about God's provision, using the example of birds to illustrate that God cares for all His creation, reinforcing the message of Psalm 136:25.

Acts 14:17
Paul speaks of God's goodness in providing rain and crops, filling hearts with joy, which echoes the theme of God's provision in Psalm 136:25.
A Song, a Solace, a Sermon, and a SummonsPsalm 136:1-26
Does His Mercy Endure Forever?S. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
God's Goodness and MercyR. Harris, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
Repetitions Many, But not VainS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Church's AntiphonS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Duty of Praise and ThanksgivingH. Bonar, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
The Eternity or God's GoodnessHomilistPsalm 136:1-26
From Egypt to CanaanS. Conway Psalm 136:10-25
People
Amorites, Egyptians, Og, Pharaoh, Psalmist, Sihon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Creature, Endures, Endureth, Everlasting, Flesh, Forever, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Steadfast, Unchanging
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 136:25

     1355   providence
     4017   life, animal and plant
     5341   hunger

Psalm 136:1-26

     1085   God, love of
     8352   thankfulness

Library
Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Ps. cxxxvi. 16 Come, children, on and forward! With us the Father goes; He leads us, and He guards us Through thousands of our foes: The sweetness and the glory, The sunlight of His eyes, Make all the desert places To glow as paradise. Lo! through the pathless midnight The fiery pillar leads, And onward goes the Shepherd Before the flock He feeds; Unquestioning, unfearing, The lambs may follow on, In quietness and confidence, Their eyes on Him alone. Come, children, on and
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
THE new Institution of the Lord's Supper did not finally close what passed at that Paschal Table. According to the Jewish Ritual, the Cup is filled a fourth time, and the remaining part of the Hallel [5717] repeated. Then follow, besides Ps. cxxxvi., a number of prayers and hymns, of which the comparatively late origin is not doubtful. The same remark applies even more strongly to what follows after the fourth Cup. But, so far as we can judge, the Institution of the Holy Supper was followed by the
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881

Gethsemane
We turn once more to follow the steps of Christ, now among the last He trod upon earth. The hymn,' with which the Paschal Supper ended, had been sung. Probably we are to understand this of the second portion of the Hallel, [5818] sung some time after the third Cup, or else of Psalm cxxxvi., which, in the present Ritual, stands near the end of the service. The last Discourses had been spoken, the last Prayer, that of Consecration, had been offered, and Jesus prepared to go forth out of the City, to
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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