FUN WITH THE PSALMS

FUN WITH THE PSALMS

I love to recite the following Psalm, #136, mainly because it is fun to say over and over, like a mantra.  These Psalms with their responses are perfect for two choirs of people alternative sides. I share with you Psalm 136, Liturgy of the Hours, which I recited today in choir at my parish community of Good Shepherd, Tallahassee, Florida.

Psalm 136 (NRSVCE) 

God’s Work in Creation and in History

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

2  O give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

3  O give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

4  who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

5  who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

6  who spread out the earth on the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

7  who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

8  the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

9  the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

11  and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

12  with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

13  who divided the Red Sea[a] in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

14  and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

15  but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,[b]

for his steadfast love endures forever;

16  who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

17  who struck down great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

8  and killed famous kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

19  Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

20  and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

21 and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

22  a heritage to his servant Israel,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

23  It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

24  and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

25  who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 O give thanks to the God of heaven,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

MY POEM OF STEADFAST LOVE

I am going to write out my own version of Psalm 136 using the model above. After you read what I wrote, I would like you to write your version.

A prayer of Thanksgiving to God for first loving us

Praise be to the God of Mystery and Love

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to the Son of the Father

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to the Holy Spirit of life and love

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He gave humans the highest gift, that of himself

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He showed us how to love with all our hearts, our minds, and our strength

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He shared His Real Presence for us to grow in Faith and Love

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He loved us with fierce love and asked us to love others as He loved us

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He is our intercessor with the Father, our way, truth and life

for his steadfast love endures forever.

He showed the depth of his love at the Last Supper when he offered himself along with us to the Father as a living sacrifice of praise and bid us do this in memory of Him

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Blessed be the God of Israel for He has set us free from the limitations of our human nature to love fully

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to  God, the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. The God who is, who was, and who is to come at the end of the ages

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Thanks be to God that he leads us not into temptation without His own love to help us

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to Jesus Christ, who gives us access to the doorway to the Heavenly Kingdom

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to Christ for whom the martyrs and saints longed to be found worthy of redemption

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Praise be to the God of mercy who makes all things new in us

for his steadfast love endures forever.

YOUR POEM OF STEADFAST LOVE

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Praise be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. The God who is, who was and who is to come at the end of the ages.  Amen and Amen.  –Cistercian doxology