O Give Thanks Unto The Lord; For He Is Good: For His Mercy Endureth For Ever

Pastor David L. Battle

Thanksgiving Day is a day of pause, reflection and celebration. It is a day of corporate thanksgiving wherein family and friends come together to celebrate this wonderful day of thanksgiving unto God combined with a belt loosening feast.

As far back as I can remember, a main staple of our Thanksgiving Day celebration was reciting the “Great Hallel” (Great Song of Praise). (Hallel is derived from the Hebrew “Praise Thou” in which Israel offered up praise to God at festivals. The celebration of God's mercy in Psalm 136 gave Israel a favorite song for its festivals.) You see, my father (Suffragan Bishop Jesse Battle, Sr.; 1924 – 2001) started pastoring a church 3 days after I was born. As far back as I know, we would recite Ps. 136 during our Thanksgiving Day church service as well as at home right before we offered up prayer of thanksgiving for our Thanksgiving Day meal. I’m 65 years old now, that mode of Thanksgiving Day celebration still resonates with me.

Even now that I pastor Bread of Life Pentecostal Apostolic Church, we recite the “Great Hallel” during Thanksgiving Day church service. And, it remains a custom at which ever one of my sibling’s house (or mine) where we have our Thanksgiving Day “belt loosening” feast, we recite the “Great Hallel” with fervor and passion. You see, God has been good to this family—for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.

During Israel’s days, the “Great Hallel” was sang in the temple as the Passover lambs were being slain and at Pentecost, Tabernacles, and Dedications. This psalm has a statement or phrase which stresses its theme — “give thanks unto the LORD who alone doeth great wonders” and the refrain is “for his mercy endureth for ever.” The structure of Psalm 136 suggests that it was used in worship, with one part of the congregation making a statement or phrase and the other part responding with the refrain (Example: Neh. 11:17, 12:27 & 46). This psalm afforded Israel the opportunity to give pause, reflection and celebration during their corporate thanksgiving. The first verses of this psalm simply states, “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good” and is then followed by a historical account of the MANY “great wonders” wrought by God.

When our church and my family recite the “Great Hallel” we also give pause, reflect and celebrate the MANY “great wonders” wrought by God on our behalf’s. If you read Psalm 136 while reflecting on the MANY “great wonders” wrought by God on your behalf, you will feel the glory of praise offered up to God by you for His unmerited favor. Your thanksgiving will reflect that praise like never before and you will truly say, as the psalmist said, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee” (Psalm 139:17-18).

On this Thanksgiving Day I challenge you, your family and your church to make the “Great Hallel” a staple of your thanksgiving unto God.

“The Great Hallel”

(The Great Song of Praise)

O Give Thanks Unto The Lord; For He Is Good:

For His Mercy Endureth For Ever.

(Psalm 136:1-26)

STATEMENT/PHRASE:                         REFRAIN:

[1] O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:     for his mercy endureth for ever

[2] O give thanks unto the God of gods:

[3] O give thanks to the Lord of lords:

[4] To him who alone doeth great wonders:

[5] To him that by wisdom made the heavens:

[6] To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:

[7] To him that made great lights:

[8] The sun to rule by day:

[9] The moon and stars to rule by night:

[10] To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:

[11] And brought out Israel from among them:

[12] With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm:

[13] To him which divided the Red sea into parts:

[14] And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:

[15] But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea:

[16] To him which led his people through the wilderness:

[17] To him which smote great kings:

[18] And slew famous kings:

[19] Sihon king of the Amorites:

[20] And Og the king of Bashan:

[21] And gave their land for an heritage:

[22] Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:

[23] Who remembered us in our low estate:

[24] And hath redeemed us from our enemies:

[25] Who giveth food to all flesh:

[26] O give thanks unto the God of heaven: