The Last Hymn that Jesus Sang...

 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.--Mark 14:26

The Talmud designated Psalm 113-118 as the Hallel...the praise psalms of Egypt.  Traditionally they were sung at Passover.  Psalm 136 closes the Great Hallel with 26 choruses of "His mercy endures forever." Both Psalm 118 and Psalm 136 speak of the Lord's everlasting mercy.  WHAT A PICTURE!  The precious Holy Lamb of God...singing of God's mercy knowing of what was to come...what a comfort this must have been to His heart as He went out to the Mount of Olives.

By the time you had sung through this psalm the mercy of Lord in all situations and circumstances was impressed upon your mind.   What a truth to impress on not only His Son's heart but also on His disciples' hearts who, in fear, would be scattered in a matter of hours..  How each one of them would need to remember this in the coming hours and days ahead.  The Lord's mercy endures forever.  And that was the purpose, to impress this truth upon the hearts of the people.  No matter what...God's mercy endures forever.  It also reminds me of a verse from James that speaks of patience and perseverance in times of trouble.

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.--James 5:10-11

The end of the cross was salvation for our souls...the conquering of sin and death and the exaltation of the Son of God .   God's mercy indeed endures forever...and the end intended by the Lord is very compassionate and merciful!  Beloved believer...neither your suffering nor your labor is in vain in the Lord.  It all has a purpose.  Remember who your God is when you get discouraged...dwelling on His character provides much comfort!  Psalm 136 is below...read and be comforted!

Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

 ¹ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 ² Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 ³ Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
         For His mercy endures forever:  
       
 ⁴ To Him who alone does great wonders,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ⁵ To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ⁶ To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ⁷ To Him who made great lights,
         For His mercy endures forever—
 ⁸ The sun to rule by day,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night,
         For His mercy endures forever.  
       
 ¹⁰ To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹¹ And brought out Israel from among them,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹² With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹³ To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹⁴ And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹⁵ But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹⁶ To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹⁷ To Him who struck down great kings,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ¹⁸ And slew famous kings,
         For His mercy endures forever—
 ¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ²⁰ And Og king of Bashan,
         For His mercy endures forever—
 ²¹ And gave their land as a heritage,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ²² A heritage to Israel His servant,
         For His mercy endures forever.  
       
 ²³ Who remembered us in our lowly state,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ²⁴ And rescued us from our enemies,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 ²⁵ Who gives food to all flesh,
         For His mercy endures forever.  
       
 ²⁶ Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
         For His mercy endures forever.