Psalm 136
Sometimes (often?), the Scottish metrical Psalms are too awkwardly phrased to sing. So, here’s my go at re-adapting Psalm 136 to make it singable for our folks …
Psalm 136
Give thanks, Jehovah’s good! To you He’s always kind.
Thank Him, the God of gods, with all your heart and mind,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Thank Him, the Lord of Lords; His never-failing grace!
Great wonder-working God! Give Him your fullest praise,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Your thanks belong to Him, for wisdom was His tool
To make the heavens high from whence His throne does rule,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Your thanks belong to Him who laid out all the land
Above the water’s reach and caused it firm to stand,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Thank Him who made great lights; His never-failing grace!
The sun to rule by day – our God has fixed its place,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
The moon and stars which sit in their majestic space:
By night He makes them rule and point us to His face
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Your thanks belong to Him who struck all Egypt’s race
And smote their firstborn sons, so faithful was His grace,
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
He brought all Jacob out by His unfailing love.
With strong and outstretched arm, He guided from above
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Your thanks belong to Him: for with His pow’rful art
He cut the Sea in two and made its waters part
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Through waters’ standing walls, He led all Isr-a-el.
Their feet on driest ground, His guiding hand they felt
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
But Pharoah could not pass, his army nor his hate.
God’s waters crushed them all! the Red Sea with its weight!
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Thank Him Who in great pow’r led all His chosen flock
Through barren wilderness, well-watered from the Rock:
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
His sword cut mighty kings (His mercy has no bounds)
Kings known throughout the world, He struck them to the ground.
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
King Sihon and King Og, of Am’rites and Bashan -
He slew them! Oh, His grace! Eternal from His hand!
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
Dividing up their land (Lo! grace for every age)
He gave it to His folk, a lasting heritage
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
He has remembered us (though sins have brought us low),
And by His grace in Christ saved us from hateful foes
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
He gives all creatures food – His grace is full and free.
Give thanks to God! He’s good! He reigns eternally!
For His great mercy does endure steadfast and sure, eternally.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
To be sung using “Croft’s 136″