Psalm 136 (Slightly Edited)

Psalm 136 is a song commemorating God's redemptive provision on behalf of the nation of Israel, but interspersed between the lines of the song is the refrain "His love endures forever."  It is as though the love of God is woven together with the story of God's people...

Below are two versions of Psalm 136 (the original version is found here).  One is my own personal creation, and the other is compiled from short phrases of testimony from a group of people in the congregation:


I will give you thanks and praise for you have loved me
   His love endures forever.

You gave me parents who cared for me and corrected me,

who protected me and taught me to be strong
   His love endures forever.

You gave me a brother to love and fight with, to explore and play with
   His love endures forever.

You taught me your love as a small boy,

and buried your words in my heart
   His love endures forever.

In my rebellion you kept watch over me,

when I spurned my family you looked on with sadness
   His love endures forever.

As I tore down my own life with my own hands,

you kept your hand on my heart
   His love endures forever.

You used my own evil deeds to bring me

right to the place you wanted me to be
   His love endures forever.

A place where you could correct me and heal me,

rebuke me and restore me
   His love endures forever.

For you had plans for me that I could never have imagined,

nor chosen for myself
   His love endures forever.

You have given me a family of my own to love as I have been loved
   His love endures forever.

You have given me a life of purpose and hope,

and called me to labor in service to your Kingdom
   His love endures forever.I will give you thanks and praise for you have loved me,
and you do love me
   His love endures forever.

===================

I was kidnapped by sin, a captive--broken, wounded,
and abused; your love rescued my soul,
restores my heart, and re-invents my life story.

   His love endures forever.

Despite my errors, I have always had
the covenant provision of God, never knowing lack.

   His love endures forever.

He rescues me when I do something stupid

   His love endures forever.

I was able to witness life and death
in a way that was presented in mercy and grace
through the loss of my mother.

   His love endures forever.

Despite my constant doubt and shortcomings
God continues to reveal himself to me.

   His love endures forever.

Through my broken-hearted mess,
when my insecurities seem to rule the day…

   His love endures forever.

He gives me songs of joy in the night.

   His love endures forever.

I am in a place where I am flourishing,
surrounded by a community that loves me.

   His love endures forever.