Faith Daily Lectio Monday, October 19, 2026 Morning Psalm
Monday, October 19, 2026 · Monday in the week of the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
Morning Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
O Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endures for ever. Send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 136 this morning, that I may give You thanks for creation, for rescue, and for Your mercy to me in Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 136
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law Twenty-six times this Psalm says the same thing, as if God's people need to hear it again and again. We do. We forget His wonders quickly and give thanks slowly. We live as if His mercy were measured by our feelings, or as if it ran out with yesterday's failures.
The Gospel "Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever" (v. 23). God remembered Israel in Egypt, and He has remembered you in Jesus. "And hath redeemed us from our enemies" (v. 24): sin, death, and the devil. His mercy does not wear out. It is as sure this morning as the sun He made "to rule by day" (v. 8).
Prayer Lord, I confess that I forget Your wonders and am slow to thank You. Forgive me. Thank You for remembering me in my low estate and redeeming me in Christ. Let me begin this day with thanks. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
When one hard thing follows another, it can feel as if the refrain of our life is trouble. This Psalm sets a different refrain under every line, even under the hard lines about Pharaoh and great kings. Under trial it may help to name the day's burdens one by one and answer each with the Psalm's own words: "for his mercy endureth for ever."
Prayer Faithful God, when trouble repeats itself, let Your mercy be the louder refrain. Remember me again today in Christ, and give me a thankful heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
