Psalms136
New King James Version
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.
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Psalms 136Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 136. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God to be praised as the Creator of the world. (1–9). As Israel's God and Saviour. (10–22). For his blessings to all. (23–26).
vv1-9
Forgetful as we are, things must be often repeated to us. By “mercy” we understand the Lord's disposition to save those whom sin has rendered miserable and vile, and all the provision he has made for the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ. The counsels of this mercy have been from everlasting, and the effects of it will endure for ever, to all who are interested in it. The Lord continues equally ready to show mercy to all who seek for it, and this is the source of all our hope and comfort.
vv10-22
The great things God did for Israel, when he brought them out of Egypt, were mercies which endured long to them; and our redemption by Christ, which was typified thereby, endures for ever. It is good to enter into the history of God's favours, and in each to observe, and own, that his mercy endureth for ever. He put them in possession of a good land; it was a figure of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
vv23-26
God's everlasting mercy is here praised for the redemption of his church; in all his glories, and all his gifts. Blessed be God, who has provided and made known to us salvation through his Son. May we know and feel his redeeming power, that we may serve him in righteousness all our days. May He who giveth food to all flesh, feed our souls unto eternal life, and enliven our affections by his grace, that we may give thanks and praise to his holy name, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let us trace up all the favours we receive to this true source, and offer praise continually.
Key Words
יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
חֵסֵד: kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
עוֹלָם: properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
אָדוֹן: sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
בַּד: properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar forcarrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Psalms 136Source for 'God of gods' and 'Lord of lords', establishing supreme divine majesty and sovereignty.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Historical practice of Levites and congregation singing the chorus 'for his mercy endureth for ever' at Temple dedication.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Jehoshaphat's singers appointed to praise God with this exact liturgical chorus during battle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels God stretching out and founding the dry land of the earth above the waters.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Textual basis for the sun to rule the day and moon/stars to rule the night.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Rare early usage of the title 'the God of heaven', distinguishing God from pagan idols.
Supported by JFB
Echoes praise to the Lord who created the heavens and earth in exquisite divine wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Direct historical reference to God smiting Egypt's firstborn, initiating Israel's redemption.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Specific Hebrew term 'shook off' describes the violent overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea.
Supported by JFB
Describes the great, terrible, and howling wilderness through which God safely led His people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical account of the defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical account of the defeat of Og the king of Bashan.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical phrasing highlighting the conquest lands given as an heritage to Israel.
Supported by JFB
Verbal link in Mary's Magnificat praising God for remembering His servants in low estate.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels God's universal providence in providing food and sustenance to all living flesh.
Supported by Matthew Henry