Lessons · Tue Sep 1, 2026 · Scripture

Psalm 136 — "O Give Thanks unto the Lord"

Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150

The principle

Expressing gratitude for our blessings helps us feel God's love.

What the lesson is for

Help students feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love by naming specific blessings and thanking Them for those blessings without asking for anything in return.

Personal study, first ten minutes

Psalm 136, and Psalm 103:2–4

One line repeats in all 26 verses. Mark it every time. What is the psalmist thanking God for at each repetition — and notice that the enormous rescues and the ordinary ones get the very same answer.

Take it

PowerPoint deck 7.7 MB Lesson source (JSON)

The deck

Click any card to see it full size.

Card 0: CONTEXT SETUP — One Line, Answered Back Every Time. — **Card 0** · CONTEXT SETUP Twenty-six times. On purpose.

Card 1: DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI — Five Sections. One Answer. — **Card 1** · DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI Read it. Answer back.

Card 2: TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE — Name One. Not Everything. — **Card 2** · TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE Notice it. Then say it.

Card 3: CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION — One Prayer That Only Says Thank You. — **Card 3** · CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION Thank Him. Ask nothing.

Teacher notes

Supplies, board work and timing. Never printed on the cards.

Student prep was to pray a prayer of thanks that asked for nothing — ask who actually did it, and what it was like. HESED, in full: "a special kind of love and mercy that God feels for and extends to those who have made a covenant with Him" (Russell M. Nelson, "The Everlasting Covenant," Liahona, Oct. 2022, 6). The manual's handout "Psalm 136: Gratitude to the Lord" works well passed box to box around the class if there is time. Optional video: "Principles of Peace: Gratitude" (2:32). This is the third day in a deliberate thread — 105 was prayer, the virtual Friday (209) was praise, this is gratitude. Say so out loud; they will have noticed.

Journal prompt

The last five minutes. Card 3 hands into this.

Write down three specific blessings from this past week — the kind you could point at. After each one, write "for his mercy endureth for ever." Then write which one you will thank Heavenly Father for by name in your next prayer, and when you will pray it, asking for nothing in return.