Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 136:16

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 136:16. Which led his people through the wilderness — It was an astonishing miracle of God to support so many hundreds of thousands of people in a wilderness totally deprived of all necessaries for the life of man, and that for the space of forty years.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalms 135-136 God’s choice of Israel

Two hymns for use in Israel’s public worship appear here side by side. The first is a hymn of praise, the second a hymn of thanksgiving. The two hymns are similar in that they both recall God’s loving acts in nature and on behalf of his people Israel. These acts display God’s incomparable greatness on the one hand and show up the uselessness of the gods of the heathen on the other.
A call goes out to the worshippers gathered in the temple to praise God because he has chosen the nation Israel to be his people (135:1-4). God’s choice of Israel is particularly significant, because anything God does is deliberate. It is as sure and certain as his acts in the creation and control of nature (5-7). He demonstrated his special care for the people of Israel by rescuing them from Egypt, conquering their foes and giving them Canaan for their homeland (8-14). By contrast the so-called gods of other nations are merely useless pieces of metal (15-18). All Israelites should therefore offer thankful worship to their covenant God (19-21).

In the Jewish tradition, Psalms 136:0 was sung after the Hallel at the Passover Feast (see note introducing Psalms 113:0). In each verse the leader sings of the greatness of God, and the congregation replies that this is seen in his loyal love to his people, a love that will never end. Israel’s God is good, and he is the only true God (136:1-3). He has perfect wisdom and he made all things (4-9). He saved his people from Egypt (10-15), gave them victory over their enemies (16-20) and led them into Canaan (21-22). All this was not because his people deserved his blessings, but because he exercised his steadfast love towards them (23-26).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the Lord of Lords; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his loving kindness endureth forever. To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And slew famous kings; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Sihon king of the Amorites; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And Og king of Bashan; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And gave their land for a heritage; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Who remembered us in our low estate; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Who giveth food to all flesh; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness endureth forever."

There is nothing in this psalm upon which we have not already written commentary; and there are very few things which we shall cite here.

"The God of gods" "The word `gods' here is a secondary use of the term as is found in Psalms 82:6."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-C, p. 286. (See our comment in chapter introduction for Psalms 82, above.) As Dr. George DeHoff stated it, "God is the God over priests, spiritual rulers, those in power, including kings and magistrates. He is the Ruler over all the rulers of the earth. This does not have reference to idols. God is not their God."George DeHoff's Commentary, Vol. III, p. 237.

"To him that spread forth the earth above the waters" On this verse, Addis referred to Psalms 24:2 and to Genesis 1:6 f, affirming that, "There was a sea below the earth, another on a level with the earth, and a third `ocean' above the firmament."W. E. Addis, p. 377. Such a view is based upon a misinterpretation of what the scriptures say. The word is not `ocean' but `waters.' What a difference! And if one does not believe that the earth is stretched out over the waters, let him explain why men have been digging wells for countless generations, or let him explain the glorious artesian waters of Balmorhea. We appreciate the discernment of McCaw who wrote, "Happily, the earth is spread above the waters."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 535.

We are conscious that Psalms 24:2 states that the earth is stretched out "above the seas," or "upon seas"; but in that reference it is the altitude of the earth which is above the seas, that is, higher than sea level!

This psalm mentions a number of events found in the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Joshua. For extensive comments on all of these events, we refer to our commentaries on those Bible books.

"Remembered our low estate… delivered us from our adversaries" To this writer, it appears that these lines are a reference to the Babylonian captivity and God's deliverance from it. This is certainly suggested by the proximity of the psalm to Psalms 137.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

To him which led his people through the wilderness - For all the manifestations of his care during a period of forty years.

For his mercy ... - That is, his mercy was to be measured by all the protection extended over them; by all the provision made for their needs; by all that God did to defend them; by all his interposition when attacked by their enemies; by safely bringing them to the land to which he had promised to conduct them.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Shall we turn now our Bibles to Psalms 136:1-26 . Throughout the one-hundred-and-thirty-sixth psalm, we have the repeated phrase, "For His mercy endureth forever." And this is repeated in each of the verses throughout the entire psalm. And so he begins the psalm by an exhortation of giving thanks.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:1 ).

Over and over in the psalms, this is a repeated kind of a refrain. Remember this is their songbook, and so one of the things of which they were constantly singing was the goodness of God and the mercies of God.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:2-4 ).

And now he goes on to exhort praise and thanksgiving for God's creative acts. And he starts out in the general act of creation. And then he lists many of the creative acts of God.

To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night ( Psalms 136:5-9 ):

And now he commands the praise and thanksgiving to God for His special blessings upon the nation Israel and for the creation of that nation.

To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: And brought Israel from among them: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea. To him that led his people through the wilderness. To him which smote great kings: And slew famous kings: Sihon the king of the Amorites: Og the king of Bashan: And gave their land for a heritage: Even a heritage unto Israel. Who remembered us in our low estate: And hath redeemed us from our enemies. Who giveth food to all flesh. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:10-26 ).

And now in order that you might get sort of an idea of how many of these songs were sung, in a song such as this, quite often the men would take the first part and the women would answer in the refrain, "For His mercy endureth forever." And so, much as we think some of the psalms where the women have sort of an after part, these particular psalms were written, designed for this after-part effect. So, in order that we might get sort of the idea of it, how about the fellows reading together the first part and the women answering each time, "For His mercy endureth forever." And you'll get the idea of how these songs were actually sung, as this is actually a songbook of the Hebrew people. Okay, fellows?

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:1-26 ).

Now the purpose of the psalm was to impress upon you a certain thought or idea. And I think you get the idea. By the time you've sung this through, you get the impression that God's mercy endureth forever. And in all situations, under all circumstances, God's mercy endureth forever. And it's something that comes across as you go through the psalm; it's something that's impressed then upon your heart. And that was the purpose, to impress truth upon the hearts of the people. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 136

This psalm is probably the last of the Great Hallel psalms (Psalms 120-136), though a few Jewish scholars viewed it as the only Great Hallel psalm. [Note: See the discussion of this issue in the introduction to Psalms 135 above.] Many scholars believe that the Israelites sang this psalm at Passover when they celebrated the Exodus. Other hallel psalms are 113-118 and 146-150. This psalm is unique because it repeats the same refrain in each verse. The Israelites probably sang this song antiphonally, with the leaders singing the first part of each verse and the people responding with the refrain. The content and basic structure are similar to Psalms 135. With this song, the Israelites praised God for His great acts and His loyal love that endures forever.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. Subjects for thanksgiving 136:4-25

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

God’s acts in this section of verses relate to His care for Israel. He humbled the Egyptians, brought His people out of Egypt in the Exodus, and led them through the Red Sea (Psalms 136:10-15). He then defeated the Canaanite kings and gave their land to the Israelites (Psalms 136:16-22). In summary, God remembered His people and rescued them from their adversaries (Psalms 136:23-24). Finally, He provides food for all living creatures (Psalms 136:25).

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

To him which led his people through the wilderness,.... Where there was no path. This the Lord did by going before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night, to show them the way in which they should go, Exodus 13:21; see Psalms 78:14;

for his mercy [endureth] for ever; among the manifold mercies of God, shown to Israel in the wilderness, this is one taken notice of by Nehemiah, Nehemiah 9:19; that the pillar of cloud and fire, to direct them, never departed from them while in it: and this act of "leading" them not only includes the guidance of them in the way, but the provision made for them; of water out of the rock, and of manna that fell about their tents every day; and of flesh and feathered fowl, like dust, so that they wanted nothing; and also the protection of them from their enemies: all which were proofs of his constant care over them, and continual mercy to them; see Psalms 78:15.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:   11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:   12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.   13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:   14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:   15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.   16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.   17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:   18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:   19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:   20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:   21 And gave their land for a heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:   22 Even a heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

      The great things God for Israel, when he first formed them into a people, and set up his kingdom among them, are here mentioned, as often elsewhere in the psalms, as instances both of the power of God and of the particular kindness he had for Israel. See Psalms 135:8, c. 1. He brought them out of Egypt, Psalms 136:10-12; Psalms 136:10-12. That was a mercy which endured long to them, and our redemption by Christ, which was typified by that, does indeed endure for ever, for it is an eternal redemption. Of all the plagues of Egypt, none is mentioned but the death of the first-born, because that was the conquering plague; by that God, who in all the plagues distinguished the Israelites from the Egyptians, brought them at last from among them, not by a wile, but with a strong hand and an arm stretched out to reach far and do great things. These miracles of mercy, as they proved Moses's commission to give law to Israel, so they laid Israel under lasting obligations to obey that law, Exodus 20:2. 2. He forced them a way through the Red Sea, which obstructed them at their first setting out. By the power he has to control the common course of nature he divided the sea into two parts, between which he opened a path, and made Israel to pass between the parts, now that they were to enter into covenant with him; see Jeremiah 34:18. He not only divided the sea, but gave his people courage to go through it when it was divided, which was an instance of God's power over men's hearts, as the former of his power over the waters. And, to make it a miracle of justice as well as mercy, the same Red Sea that was a lane to the Israelites was a grave to their pursuers. There he shook off Pharaoh and his host. 3. He conducted them through a vast howling wilderness (Psalms 136:16; Psalms 136:16); there he led them and fed them. Their camp was victualled and fortified by a constant series of miracles for forty years; though they loitered and wandered there, they were not lost. And in this the mercy of God, and the constancy of that mercy, were the more observable because they often provoked him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert. 4. He destroyed kings before them, to make room for them (Psalms 136:17; Psalms 136:18), not deposed and banished them, but smote and slew them, in which appeared his wrath against them, but his mercy, his never-failing mercy, to Israel. And that which magnified it was that they were great kings and famous kings, yet God subdued them as easily as if they had been the least, and weakest, and meanest, of the children of men. They were wicked kings, and then their grandeur and lustre would not secure them from the justice of God. The more great and famous they were the more did God's mercy to Israel appear in giving such kings for them. Sihon and Og are particularly mentioned, because they were the first two that were conquered on the other side Jordan, Psalms 136:19; Psalms 136:20. It is good to enter into the detail of God's favours and not to view them in the gross, and in each instance to observe, and own, that God's mercy endureth for ever. 5. He put them in possession of a good land, Psalms 136:21; Psalms 136:22. He whose the earth is, and the fulness thereof, the world and those that dwell therein, took land from one people and gave it to another, as pleased him. The iniquity of the Amorites was now full, and therefore it was taken from them. Israel was his servant, and, though they had been provoking in the wilderness, yet he intended to have some service out of them, for to them pertained the service of God. As he said to the Egyptians, Let my people go, so to the Canaanites, Let my people in, that they may serve me. In this God's mercy to them endureth for ever, because it was a figure of the heavenly Canaan, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.