Psalm 136
Jehovah Praised for His Loving-Kindness to Israel
Jehovah Praised for His Loving-Kindness to Israel
Psalm 136. A Psalm of thanksgiving, for Jehovah’s goodness to Israel. His loving-kindness is mentioned repeatedly. This Psalm has twenty-six verses and contains the common expression of Israel’s praise as a refrain twenty-six times; “for his loving-kindness endureth for ever”.
PSALM 136
1 Give ye thanks unto Jehovah, for he is good; for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
2 Give thanks unto the God of gods, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
3 Give thanks unto the Lord of lords, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.
vv.1-3 Jehovah Worshipped for His Person. In the introduction, Jehovah is worshipped for His greatness and goodness, as “the God of gods” and “the Lord of lords”.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
5 To him that by understanding made the heavens, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
7 To him that made great lights, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
8 The sun for rule over the day, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
9 The moon and stars for rule over the night, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
11 And brought out Israel from among them, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
12 With a powerful hand and with a stretched-out arm, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
13 To him that divided the Red sea into parts, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
15 And overturned Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
16 To him that led his people through the wilderness, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
17 To him that smote great kings, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
18 And slew famous kings, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
20 And Og king of Bashan, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
21 And gave their land for an inheritance, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
22 An inheritance unto Israel his servant, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
vv.4-22 Jehovah Worshipped for His Acts. Israel reviews the creation, their deliverance from Egypt, from the Passover to the possession of the land.
23 Who hath remembered us in our low estate, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
24 And hath delivered us from our oppressors, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
25 Who giveth food to all flesh, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.
26 Give ye thanks unto the GOD of the heavens; for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.
vv.23-26 Jehovah Worshipped for His Redemption. Israel concludes the praise of their God by singing of His mercy in delivering them, and also in sustaining the creation. Jehovah is worshipped as “the God of the heavens”.