Psalm 136
Psalm 136 is a song of thanksgiving, praising God for His enduring mercy and love. Each verse repeats the refrain, "For His mercy endures forever," emphasizing God’s eternal love and faithfulness through various acts of creation, deliverance, and provision for His people. The psalm recounts God's mighty deeds in history, particularly in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. It is a powerful reminder of God's goodness and His never-ending mercy.
Psalm 136:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.
The psalm opens with a call to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, recognizing Him as the supreme God. The titles "God of gods" and "Lord of lords" emphasize His unmatched authority and sovereignty over all powers, both in heaven and on earth. The refrain "For His mercy endures forever" reminds us that His love and kindness are eternal, never wavering or diminishing.
Psalm 136:4-9 (NKJV)
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.
These verses celebrate God as the Creator of all things. His wisdom is evident in the design of the heavens, the earth, and the celestial bodies. The sun, moon, and stars reflect God’s care for the world, ensuring life and order. The continual refrain affirms that every act of creation stems from God’s merciful nature, sustaining life and providing for His creation.
Psalm 136:10-15 (NKJV)
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever.
These verses recount God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of Pharaoh's army demonstrate God’s powerful intervention on behalf of His people. His mercy is shown not only in freeing them from oppression but in ensuring their safe passage and survival. Each miraculous act highlights God's steadfast commitment to Israel.
Psalm 136:16-22 (NKJV)
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever;
18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever—
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever—
21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever.
God’s guidance through the wilderness and victories over powerful kings like Sihon and Og were essential in Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. By giving their lands to Israel as a heritage, God fulfilled His promises, demonstrating His mercy in tangible ways. The repetition of "For His mercy endures forever" reinforces that these victories and blessings were rooted in His enduring love and care for His people.
Psalm 136:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
The psalm concludes by acknowledging God’s faithfulness in remembering and rescuing His people in times of need. His provision extends to all creation, showing that His mercy is not limited to one people but encompasses all life. The final verse calls for thanksgiving to "the God of heaven," affirming His supreme authority and the unchanging nature of His mercy.