“O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:3–5).
God’s mercy endures forever. And the same mercy He displayed in the creation of the world and to His people Israel, He also reveals to His children in Jesus Christ. The words of this psalm and illustrator Kathleen DeJong’s beautiful acrylics and line drawings will inspire covenant children and their parents to thank God each day for His unending mercies.
The cover and the contents of this books have been translated into Hungarian.
“Not all illustrations of Scripture are lawful or tasteful. However, Kathleen’s book of pictures carefully captures the beauty of God’s mercy described in Psalm 136. Each sketch has the imprint not only of a skilled artist but also of one who has meditated on God’s Word. Both children and adults will grow in gratitude to God by pondering the inspired text as it is illuminated by insightful art.” – Rev. Jonathan Mahtani, Pastor of Cornerstone Protestant Reformed Church, Indiana, USA
“Kathleen DeJong has beautifully illustrated Psalm 136 in this book. Some of these detailed, vibrant pictures portray actual historical events from Scripture; others portray the spiritual reality behind biblical events. I especially appreciate that the book begins and ends with illustrations that remind us that the psalms were meant to be sung by God’s people—people who always rejoice in the goodness and mercy of their God.” – Karen Van Baren, Reformed Christian school teacher
Book Review of His Mercy Endureth Forever
I just ordered and received a copy of the RFPA’s newest children’s book, His Mercy Endureth Forever, which is illustrated by Kathleen DeJong, a young member of Peace Protestant Reformed Church in Dyer, Indiana. Like the earlier RFPA children’s publication, T Is for Tree, this book is generously sized—8 3/4 by 11 1/4 inches—and features the same glossy, hardback cover and smooth, shiny pages. The text of the book is comprised of the 26 verses of Psalm 136, as they are rendered in the King James Version of the Bible. (The simple glossary in the back of the book defines some of the terms, places, and people that appear in the psalm.) Where Psalm 136 recounts God’s merciful acts in history, Miss DeJong’s colorful painting depict biblical scenes: the pillar of fire in the wilderness, an ancient battle, a father and child harvesting abundant fruit in the promised land. Where the psalm recounts God’s merciful acts in creation, the illustrations are contemporary, a person and telescope silhouetted by the Milky Way, a hiker awestruck at the Northern lights, a present-day family praising God in a church building. The illustrations are well done: several elicited “wows” from my children. All in all, His Mercy Endureth Forever is a simple, successful book.
Perhaps you plan to memorize a new Bible passage with your children at the start of this new year. This book might be an enjoyable aid to memorizing Psalm 136.
Sarah Mowery
Perspectives in Covenant Education
Book Review of His Mercy Endureth Forever
Psalm 136 stands on its own merit. It needs no extraneous efforts to prop it up. Just read this chapter. Read it aloud. In exalted language the psalm rehearses a litany of God’s wonders to Israel and his covenant care of his people. What is most memorable is the refrain (repeated 26 times!): “For his mercy endureth forever.” Above all, Psalm 136 is a psalm to be sung, and new RFPA illustrator, Kathleen DeJong, does not overlook this important aspect in her artistic renderings. The opening page of His Mercy Endureth Forever includes enhanced line drawings of ancient musical instruments, and the book closes with a musical score from Psalm 136.
Although nothing can add to this psalm, in this most recent publication by the RFPA Kathleen DeJong responds to Psalm 136 with full-paged acrylic illustrations and delicate line drawings.
Kathleen showed artistic ability already in first grade; her elementary drawings were unusually winsome. I remember especially a crayon-colored picture of a sky at night to depict a poem she had learned. Interestingly, many years later, Kathleen DeJong’s vibrant painting of a nighttime sky (Psalm 136:5) becomes the cover of His Mercy Endureth Forever.
In this delightful new book for children, Kathleen displays not only her development in art, but also her spiritual maturity in understanding this magnificent psalm. She speaks with brush and palette of God’s goodness in creation and salvation. She insightfully captures past revelations without neglecting present realities.
The RFPA is to be commended for the quality and simple beauty of this volume. The cover invites one in; the individual pages are glossy and uncluttered; the print is clean, each word of the text distinct. Here is a book to be enjoyed by adults and profitably read to young children again and again. Children seem to love repetition in stories. How eagerly, then, a child will repeat the comforting chorus of each verse of Psalm 136: “For his mercy endureth forever.”
Mary Beth Lubbers
January, 2019
