Psalm One Hundred and Thirty Six

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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

mercy endureth for ever. Each of the twenty-six verses of this unique psalm ends with the great assertion: “for His mercy endureth for ever.” It was evidently sung as an antiphonal chorus in response to the recitation of the mighty works of the Creator, both in creation and in redemption of His people.

Psalm 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God of gods. Both “God” and “gods” are translations of Elohim in the Hebrew. In Psalm 136:3, both “Lord” and “lords” are translations of Adonai. In Psalm 136:1, “Lord” is Jehovah, or Yahweh.

Psalm 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

made great lights. The question has occasionally been raised as to the nature of the two “great lights” of Genesis 1:16. Psalm 136:8-9 makes it definite that these were, indeed, the sun and moon.

Psalm 136:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Pharaoh and his host. The account of this great event as written by Moses just says that the returning waters of the Red Sea covered “all the host of Pharaoh” (Exodus 14:28). This verse assures us that Pharaoh himself was destroyed with his army.

Psalm 136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

endureth for ever. Not only does God's mercy endure forever, but so do His judgments (Psalm 119:160), His truth (Psalm 117:2), and His name (Psalm 135:13).