Bible Commentaries
Psalms 136

Verses 1-26

Psalms 136

The Merciful Lord

Scripture v. 1-26:

Twenty six times this psalm asserts that the mercy of God endureth forever. Verses 1-3 give thanks to God because he is (1) Lord; (2) God of gods; and (3) Lord of lords. Verses 1-9 teach that there is mercy through His power; verses 10-22 teach that there is mercy through His providence; and verses 23-26 teach that there is mercy in His provision for men, with food and salvation.

This Psalm calls on men to praise and give thanks to the Lord for particular mercies, with each of the 26 verses closing with the phrase "for his mercy endureth forever."

Verse 1 calls for thanks unto the Lord because He Is. good, and His "mercy endureth forever," as taught 1 Chronicles 16:8; Psalms 25:8; Deuteronomy 4:31. His mercy is based on His infinite power and His goodness to Israel in her past history.

Verse 2 exhorts that men express gratitude unto God, because He is the God of gods, over all, as repeatedly set forth by word and by illustration, Exodus 18:11; Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalms 21:13; Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 2:5; Daniel 2:47.

Verse 3 adds a third time that men should give thanks to the trinitarian God, as Lord of lords, as in the thrice repeated Mosiac blessing, Numbers 6:24-26; For He is also king of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

Verse 4 asserts that this trinitarian-like-thanks should be given to Him alone or restrictedly, as to the one true God, Exodus 20:1-2; Exodus 4:21; Psalms 72:18.

Verses 5, 6 reassert that great thanks should be given to God alone, who made the heavens by wisdom and stretched out (like a canvas) the earth above the waters, a worthy basis for acknowledging that: His mercy endureth for ever," progressively, without cessation, as related Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 51:15; see too Job 26:7; Psalms 24:2; Isaiah 40:22; Jeremiah 10:12; Zechariah 12:1; 2 Peter 3:5-7.

Verses 7-9 call for thanks to Him: a) that "made the great lights that were for b) the sun to rule by day," and for c) "the moon and stars to rule by night," for it is declared that to each and all of these servants, "His mercy endures for ever," continuously, without ceasing, Psalms 74:16; Genesis 1:16; Deuteronomy 4:19.

Verses 10-12 call for continued thanks a) to Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn, and b) brought Israel out from among them, even with c) "a strong hand, with a stretched out arm," all because "His mercy endures for ever," as related Exodus 6:6; Exodus 12:29; Deuteronomy 8:2; Deuteronomy 5:15; See also Exodus 12:51; Exodus 13:3; Exodus 13:17; 1 Samuel 12:6-8.

Verses 13-15 extend the call for thanks to this God because He: a) divided the Red Sea into parts, Exodus 10:19; Job 26:10; and b) caused Israel to pass Through the midst of it, Exodus 14:16, providing them safe passage, and c) overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, with each a just basis for Israel to thank God for His eternal mercies, Exodus 15:4. They crossed in one night, over about an 18 mile length of channel of the sea, from Baal-zephom to Migdol, Exodus 12:31-42. Because of His enduring mercies.

Verses 16-20 call for further thanks to the Lord: a) for leading His people Through the wilderness, for Divine leadership, Deuteronomy 8:2; b) for His smiting and slaying great and famous kings, Exodus 14:14, even c) Sihon king of the Amorites, Numbers 21:21; and d) Og king of Bashan, all because, "His mercy continues for ever," Numbers 21:33.

Verses 21, 22 assert that the Lord gave their land as an heritage "to Israel his servant," because "His mercy endures forever," Joshua 12:1; Psalms 135:11.

Verse 25 declares that this God of gods, and Lord of lords "giveth food to all flesh," even to animals, continually, a just basis for giving thanks to Him, an evidence that His mercy never ceases toward men.

Verse 26 concludes by calling, for the 26th time in this single psalm, in every verse, for men to, "give thanks unto the God of heaven," the omnipotent God, "for his mercy endureth for ever," Matthew 6:9.