4 To him who alone does great wonders; For his loving kindness endures forever:
5 To him who by understanding made the heavens; For his loving kindness endures forever:
6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters; For his loving kindness endures forever:
7 To him who made the great lights; For his loving kindness endures forever:
8 The sun to rule by day; For his loving kindness endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night; For his loving kindness endures forever:
10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; For his loving kindness endures forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them; For his loving kindness endures forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his loving kindness endures forever:
13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart; For his loving kindness endures forever;
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his loving kindness endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his loving kindness endures forever:
16 To him who led his people through the wilderness; For his loving kindness endures forever:
17 To him who struck great kings; For his loving kindness endures forever;
18 And killed mighty kings; For his loving kindness endures forever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites; For his loving kindness endures forever;
20 Og king of Bashan; For his loving kindness endures forever;
21 And gave their land as an inheritance; For his loving kindness endures forever;
22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant; For his loving kindness endures forever:
23 Who remembered us in our low estate; For his loving kindness endures forever;
24 And has delivered us from our adversaries; For his loving kindness endures forever:
25 Who gives food to every creature; For his loving kindness endures forever.
26 Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; For his loving kindness endures forever.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 136
Commentary on Psalms 136 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 136
Ps 136:1-26. The theme is the same as that of Psalm 135. God should be praised for His works of creation and providence, His deliverance and care of His people, and judgments on their enemies, and His goodness to all. The chorus to every verse is in terms of that of Ps 106:1; 118:1-4, and was perhaps used as the Amen by the people, in worship (compare 1Ch 16:36; Ps 105:45).
1-3. The divine titles denote supremacy.
4. alone—excluding all help.
5, 6. by wisdom—or, "in wisdom" (Ps 104:24).
made—literally, "maker of."
above the waters—or, "higher than the waters" (Ps 24:2).
12. Compare similar expressions (Ex 3:20; De 4:34, &c.).
15. overthrew—literally, "shook off," as in Ex 14:27, as a contemptuous rejection of a reptile.
23. remembered us—or, "for us" (Ps 132:1).
our low estate—that is, captivity.
24. And hath redeemed us—or, literally, "snatched us"—alluding to the sudden deliverance effected by the overthrow of Babylon.
25. To the special favors to His people is added the record of God's goodness to all His creatures (compare Mt 6:30).
26. God of heaven—occurs but once (Jon 1:9) before the captivity. It is used by the later writers as specially distinguishing God from idols.