Read
Psalm 136:16
to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his loving kindness endures forever;
Notice
The wilderness belongs within Israel’s account of God’s loving kindness, which can challenge the expectation that being led by God means an easy road.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What changes in your understanding of God’s kindness when Israel praises him for leading through wilderness?
Write on thisWhere do you find it hard to trust that God’s loving kindness endures?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Deuteronomy 8:15who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for …Both recall God leading Israel through the wilderness, while Deuteronomy names its dangers and his provision of water.
Deuteronomy 8:2You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was …Both remember God’s wilderness leadership; Deuteronomy adds the forty years and the testing of Israel’s obedience.
Exodus 13:18but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.Both name God as the one who led Israel by the wilderness route after their departure from Egypt.
Exodus 15:22Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.Both recount Israel’s passage into the wilderness, with Exodus naming Moses as leader and describing three days without water.
Deuteronomy 32:12The LORD alone led him. There was no foreign god with him.Both credit the LORD with leading his people, and Deuteronomy excludes any foreign god from that work.
Psalm 77:20You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.Both address God’s leadership of his people, while Psalm 77 names Moses and Aaron as those through whom he led.
Isaiah 63:11–14Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he …Both recall God’s care for Israel during the exodus, with Isaiah remembering the sea crossing and Psalm 136 the wilderness.
Numbers 9:17–22Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel traveled; and in the place where the cloud remained, there the …Both describe Israel being led, with Numbers showing their travel and encampment governed by the cloud.
Nehemiah 9:12Moreover, in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.Both recall God leading Israel, while Nehemiah describes the pillars of cloud and fire that showed the way.
Nehemiah 9:19yet you in your manifold mercies didn’t forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud didn’t depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; …Both connect God’s wilderness leadership with his mercy, and Nehemiah states that he did not forsake his people.
Isaiah 49:10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them, for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them by springs of …Both connect God’s leading with his kindness or mercy; Isaiah promises guidance to water and relief from hunger and heat.
Jeremiah 2:17“Haven’t you brought this on yourself, in that you have forsaken the LORD your God, when he led you by the way?Both name the LORD as his people’s leader, though Jeremiah confronts their forsaking the God who led them.
Where this verse fits
Waiting. fear for the future. praise and worship.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Israel’s wilderness was real, and God led his people through it. The praise here rests on his character: “for his loving kindness endures forever;”
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).