Psalms 136
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
PSALM 136
Psa 136:1-26. The theme is the same as that of Psalm 135. God should be praised for His works of creation and providence, His deliverance and care of His people, and judgments on their enemies, and His goodness to all. The chorus to every verse is in terms of that of Psa 106:1; 118:1-4, and was perhaps used as the Amen by the people, in worship (compare 1Ch 16:36; Psa 105:45).
1-3. The divine titles denote supremacy.
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.
4. alone--excluding all help.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5-6. by wisdom--or, "in wisdom" (Psa 104:24).
made--literally, "maker of."
above the waters--or, "higher than the waters" (Psa 24:2).
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.
12. Compare similar expressions (Ex 3:20; De 4:34, &c.).
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.
15. overthrew--literally, "shook off," as in Ex 14:27, as a contemptuous rejection of a reptile.
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:
23. remembered us--or, "for us" (Psa 132:1).
our low estate--that is, captivity.
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
24. And hath redeemed us--or, literally, "snatched us"--alluding to the sudden deliverance effected by the overthrow of Babylon.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25. To the special favors to His people is added the record of God's goodness to all His creatures (compare Mt 6:30).
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26. God of heaven--occurs but once (Jon 1:9) before the captivity. It is used by the later writers as specially distinguishing God from idols.
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