Bible Commentaries
Psalms 136

Introduction

Psalms 136:0

THE ARGUMENT

The matter of this Psalm is the same with the former, only it is a little more fitted to the use and service of the temple, by the continued repetition of that solemn clause, For thy mercy endures for ever, which was much used by the sacred singers. See 2 Chronicles 7:3; 2 Chronicles 20:21.

The psalmist exhorteth all to praise God, for his power and wisdom in creating and governing the world, Psalms 136:1-9; for delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, and bringing them to the Promised Land, Psalms 136:10-26.

Verse 2

The God of gods; who is infinitely superior to all that are called gods, whether angels, or princes, or idols.

Verse 4

Him who alone; he and none else. Or, he without the help of any other person or thing; whereas no other being can do any thing alone or without his help.

Verse 5

By wisdom, to wit, by eminent and admirable wisdom, far exceeding the capacity of all human or angelical creatures.

Verse 6

Stretched out the earth above the waters; of which See Poole "Genesis 1:9"; See Poole "Psalms 24:2".

Verse 8

The sun to rule by day; of which phrase and the like in the next verse, See Poole "Genesis 1:16".

Verse 14

To pass through the midst of it, to wit, without fear or danger, by comparing this with the next verse.

Verse 16

Through the wilderness; through that vast howling wilderness, where there was neither way nor provision; through which none but the Almighty God could have safely conducted them.

Verse 22

Israel his servant; he speaks of all that people as of one man, because they were united together in one body, in the worship of one and the same God. Thus God calleth them all his first-born, Exodus 4:22.

Verse 25

To all flesh; either to all mankind, or to all living creatures. For which God deserves great praises, which the psalmist by his example teacheth us to render to God for them, because those who are most concerned either cannot or do not perform this duty.