Bible Commentaries
Psalms 136

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew Jehovah App-4 . For, &c. Figures of Speech. Amoebaeon and Epistrophe. App-6 .

mercy = loving-kindness, or grace.

Verse 2

O give thanks. Note the Figures of speech Coenotes and Anaphora ( App-6 ) in verses: Psalms 136:1 , Psalms 136:2 , Psalms 136:3 .

God of gods. Hebrew. Elohim. of the elohim. App-4 .

gods. Hebrew. 'elohim. See note on Psalms 135:5 and Exodus 22:9 .

Verse 3

LORD of lords. Hebrew Adonim of the adonim. App-4 . Compare Deuteronomy 10:17 .

Verse 5

made the heavens. Compare Genesis 1:1 .

Verse 6

above. i.e. in Genesis 1:1 , and 2 Peter 3:5 . By the overthrow of Genesis 1:2 the earth became a ruin, being "overflowed" (2 Peter 3:6 ), and covered with "the deep" (Genesis 1:2 ).

Verse 7

great lights. Genesis 1:14 , "lightholders".

Verse 8

to rule = to have dominion. Genesis 1:16-18 .

Verse 10

smote Egypt. Compare Exodus 12:29 .

Verse 11

brought out Israel. Compare Exodus 13:17 .

Verse 12

hand . . . arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).

Verse 15

overthrew = shook off.

Verse 19

Sihon, &c. These two verses (verses: Psalms 136:19 , Psalms 136:20 ) not an "interpolation". See note above.

Verse 21

their: i.e. Sihon ' s and Og's. Not a verse "clearly dropped out", which contained the noun for this pronoun. The kings named show "whose" land is referred to. An "interpolation" from which a verse has "dropped out" is a new idea in the field of imaginative criticism; and, if true, would be quite unworthy of a "commentator ' s" time and trouble.

Verse 24

redeemed = rescued. Hebrew. parak = to break. Thus to rescue, by breaking the bonds. Rendered "redeem" only here (and Daniel 4:27 in the Vulgate versions: Authorized Version "break off").

enemies = adversaries.

Verse 25

food. Hebrew = bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species) for all kinds of food.

flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for all living beings. App-6 .

Verse 26

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 .