Psalms 136

Oh, give thanks to the LORD,

for he is good;

for his mercy continues on

forever.

2 Oh, give thanks to the God

of gods,

for his mercy continues on

forever.

136:2 See Ps 135:5, 15; Deut 10:17. Jehovah, the God of the Bible, is far above all that men call gods. In reality they are not gods at all – see Ps 96:5; 115:4-11.⚜

3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord

of lords;

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:3 See 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 19:16. He is the supreme ruler, governor, and master of the universe.⚜

4 To him who alone does great

wonders,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:4 See Ps 77:14; 107:24; Job 9:10; Dan 4:3; 6:27. He alone does great wonders, and He does them alone. He needs no assistance from anyone.⚜

5 To him who by wisdom made

the heavens,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

6 To him who stretched out

the earth over the waters,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

7 To him who made great lights,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

8 The sun to rule by day,

for his mercy continues

on forever;

9 The moon and stars to rule

by night,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:5-9 Here are wonders in creation. See Genesis chapter 1. God’s grace and love were displayed in making the earth habitable for men and other creatures.⚜

10 To him who struck Egypt

in their firstborn,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

11 And brought Israel out

from among them,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

12 With a strong hand, and with

an outstretched arm,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

13 To him who divided

the Red Sea in two,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

14 And caused Israel to pass

through the midst of it,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

15 But overthrew Pharaoh

and his army in the Red Sea,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:10-15 Here are wonders and grace displayed in the deliverance of His people from Egypt. But if God is so loving and gracious why did He slay all the firstborn of Egypt and destroy its army in the sea? Because He is a God of justice too, and He avenges cruelty and punishes the hardness of heart and pride which reject His grace (Ps 2:4-5; Rom 2:4-5; 2 Thess 1:6-9; Heb 2:1-3).⚜

16 To him who led his people

through the wilderness,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:16 What great wonders and grace God displayed in the desert! The story begins in Exodus chapter 15 and concludes at the end of Deuteronomy.⚜

17 To him who struck down

great kings,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

18 And killed famous kings,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

19 Sihon king of the Amorites,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

20 And Og the king of Bashan,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

21 And gave their land

as an inheritance,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

22 An inheritance to Israel

his servant,

for his mercy continues on forever;

136:21-22 See Ps 78:55; Josh 12:1; 14:1. God has prepared for believers an eternal inheritance in heaven (1 Pet 1:4), and will destroy all those who would try to prevent them from obtaining it.⚜

23 Who remembered us in our low estate,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:23 See Ps 78:39; 103:14; 1 Sam 2:8; Luke 1:47-48. God delights to give grace to the poor, the humble, the lowly.⚜

24 And rescued us from

our enemies,

for his mercy continues on

forever;

136:24 See Ps 107:2; Deut 6:18-19; 33:27; Josh 21:44. Note on enemies at Ps 3:1.⚜

25 Who gives food to all

that has flesh;

for his mercy continues on forever.

26 Oh, give thanks to the God

of heaven,

for his mercy continues on

forever.

136:26 This is a common name for God in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel. It indicates God’s transcendence and universal rule. Let us give Him thanks (Ps 34:1; Eph 5:4, 20; Col 3:17; 1 Thess 5:18; Heb 13:15). Since there is no interruption in the flow of His grace, let there be no interruption in the flow of our thanksgiving.⚜