Psalms 136:1

Psalms 136:1 says, O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  The people of Israel were called on to give thanks to God because He is good and His mercy lasts forever.  God is good to extend His mercy to us, because He certainly doesn't have to, and if we accept it, it lasts forever.  Verse two adds, O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Like Isreal, we should give thanks to God since He is the only real God, and still He offers His mercy to us.  Verse three continues, O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Once more the people of Israel were called on to give thanks to God for His everlasting mercy.  None of these calls for giving thanks, and didn't say anything about material things, but were all based on Who God is and on His mercy, and this is still the reason we should praise God.  Verse four states, To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.  We are to give thanks to God for the great things and wonders He has done.  He is the Creator of everything.  Verse five adds, To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.  As just stated, He is the Creator of everything out of His wisdom, starting with the heavens.  Verse six continues, To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.  God then created the earth.  Verse seven says, To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:  God made the stars, and He did so out of His everlasting mercy.  Verse eight adds, The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Though scientists attempt to figure out when the sun will burn out, it will shine as long as God from His mercy wants it to shine.  Verse nine continues, The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Just as the sun shines by day, the moon and stars shine by night.  This is all a part of God's design and not the result of some great cosmic accident.  Verse ten states, To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Just as God procured freedom from Egypt for the people of Israel by His power and mercy, He procures our everlasting freedom from the power of sin and death if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eleven adds, And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:  Verse twelve continues, With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Just as it was by God's mercy and power that the people of Israel were freed from bondage in Egypt, we as Christians are freed from the bondage of sin today by His mercy.  Israel did nothing to deserve God's mercy, and neither can we.  It was freely given to them, and it is freely offered to us today.