16 To Him leading His people in a wilderness, For to the age `is' His kindness.
17 To Him smiting great kings, For to the age `is' His kindness.
18 Yea, He doth slay honourable kings, For to the age `is' His kindness.
19 Even Sihon king of the Amorite, For to the age `is' His kindness.
20 And Og king of Bashan, For to the age `is' His kindness.
21 And He gave their land for inheritance, For to the age `is' His kindness.
22 An inheritance to Israel His servant, For to the age `is' His kindness.
23 Who in our lowliness hath remembered us, For to the age `is' His kindness.
24 And He delivereth us from our adversaries, For to the age `is' His kindness.
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.