Operation All of It ~ Psalm 136

I got a message from a friend today.  She sometimes sends out little uplifting thoughts to her friends, or a Bible verse.  They give a smile at unexpected times of the day.

This friend doesn't know anything my Operation All Of It, wherein I am reading the whole chapter of any Bible verse I come across.  But her message today said this:

"Praising God for blessings extends them;

praising God for troubles ends them."

(Read Psalm 136)

Now, I wasn't entirely sure I agreed with the sentiment.  I mean, praising God for our troubles doesn't mean He's going to take them away.  Although, it will certainly help us to change our outlook, and then maybe we won't see our troubles as troubles anymore. 

But anyhow, whether or not I agreed with her pithy thought, there was an instruction there that seemed just for me:  "Read Psalm 136."  So, of course, I did. 

And it was glorious.  One of those readings that somehow makes you feel like you're seeing a bit of Scripture for the first time.  It's longish, but so full of praise, and with frequent reminders of the most important thing about Him.  I hope it blesses your Sunday...

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    For His mercy endures forever. 

 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
    For His mercy endures forever.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
    For His mercy endures forever:

To Him who alone does great wonders,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who made great lights,
    For His mercy endures forever— 

 The sun to rule by day,
    For His mercy endures forever;

The moon and stars to rule by night,
    For His mercy endures forever.

To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
    For His mercy endures forever; 

 And brought out Israel from among them,
    For His mercy endures forever;

With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    For His mercy endures forever;

And made Israel pass through the midst of it,

For His mercy endures forever;

But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
    For His mercy endures forever;

To Him who struck down great kings,
    For His mercy endures forever;
And slew famous kings,
    For His mercy endures forever—

Sihon king of the Amorites,
    For His mercy endures forever;
And Og king of Bashan,
    For His mercy endures forever—

And gave their land as a heritage,
    For His mercy endures forever;

A heritage to Israel His servant,
    For His mercy endures forever.

 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
    For His mercy endures forever;

And rescued us from our enemies,
    For His mercy endures forever;

Who gives food to all flesh,
    For His mercy endures forever.

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
    For His mercy endures forever.

~