We know not by whom this Psalm was written, but we do know that it was sung in Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:3, 2 Chronicles 7:6), and by the armies of Jehoshaphat when they sang themselves into victory in the wilderness of Tekoa. From the striking form of it we should infer that it was a popular hymn among the Lord's ancient people. Most hymns with a solid, simple chorus become favourites with congregations, and this is sure to have been one of the best beloved. It contains nothing but praise. It is tuned to rapture, and can only be fully enjoyed by a devoutly grateful heart.

It commences with a three-fold praise to the Triune Lord (Psalm 136:1-3), then it gives us six notes of praise to the Creator (Psalm 136:4-9), six more upon deliverance from Egypt (Psalm 136:10-15), and seven upon the journey through the wilderness and the entrance into Canaan. Then we have two happy verses of personal gratitude for present mercy (Psalm 136:23-24), one (Psalm 136:25) to tell of the Lord's universal providence, and Psalm 136:26 to excite to never-ending praise.

Hints to Preachers

Psalm 136:1. -

I. Consider his name - "Jehovah."

II. Carry out your joyful duty, "O give thanks."

III. Contemplate the two reasons given - goodness and enduring mercy.

Psalm 136:1. -

I. Many subjects for praise.

1. For the goodness of God, "He is good" (Psalm 136:1).

2. For his supremacy: "God of gods; Lord of lords" (Psalm 136:2, Psalm 136:3).

3. For his works in general (Psalm 136:4).

4. For his works of creation in particular (Psalm 136:5-9).

5. For his works of Providence (verses 10-26).

II. The chief subject for praise, "For his mercy endureth for ever.

1. For mercy. This is the sinner's principal need.

2. For mercy in God. This is the sinner's attribute, and is as essential to God as justice.

3. For mercy enduring for ever. If they who have sinned need mercy for ever, they must exist for ever; and their guilt must be for ever. - G. R.

Psalm 136:1. - "The Lord is good." God is originally good - good of himself. He is infinitely good. He is perfectly good, because infinitely good. He is immutably good. - Charnock.

Psalm 136:1-3. -

I. The triplet of names, "Jehovah, the God of gods," "the Lord of lords."

II. The threefold adjuration, "O give thanks."

III. The irrepressible attribute and argument - "for his mercy," etc. - W. B. H.

Verses 1-26. - "For his mercy endureth for ever." See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 787: "A Song, a Solace, a Sermon, and a Summons."

Psalm 136:4. -

I. The Lord does great wonders of mercy.

II. He does them unaided.

III. He does them as none else can do.

IV. He should have unique praise.

Psalm 136:4. - The great lone Wonderworker.

I. God was alone in the wonderwork of Creation: Genesis 1.

II. Alone in the wonderwork of redemption, Isaiah 63:5.

III. Is alone in the wonderwork of Providence: Psalm 104:27, Psalm 104:28.

IV. Alone in the wonderwork of Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

V. Will be alone in the wonderwork of Universal Triumph: 1 Corinthians 15:25. - C. A. D.

Psalm 136:4. - The merciful in the wonderful. The wonderful in the merciful.

Psalm 136:7. - The mercy which dwells in the creation and distribution of light.

Psalm 136:7-9. -

I. The constancy of rule.

II. The association of light with rule.

III. The perpetuity of mercy in this matter.

Psalm 136:8, Psalm 136:9. -

I. The glory of the day of joy.

II. The comforts of the night of sorrow.

III. The hand of God in each.

Psalm 136:10. - Mercy and judgment. In the stroke that filled Egypt with anguish there was conspicuous mercy. -

I. Even to Egypt; the sharp stroke should have wrought repentance. So God still strives with men.

II. Evidently to Israel; they being thus delivered; their firstborn saved.

III. Emphatically to the whole world: power made known, Christ foreshadowed, an important link in the chain of redemption. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:11. - The bringing out of God's people from their natural state, from their misery, and from association with the ungodly, a great marvel of everlasting mercy.

Psalm 136:11. - Effectual calling; the intervention at the determined moment of the mercy of infinite ages. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:12. - Displays of divine power in the history of the saints a reason for song.

Psalm 136:13, Psalm 136:14. - God to be praised not only,

I. For clearing our way; but also,

II. For giving faith to traverse it. The last as great a mercy as the first.

Psalm 136:13-15. - Mercy queen of the Exodus.

I. Her sceptre upon the sea. What cannot Love divine conquer for its chosen.

II. Her standard in the van. Whither shall saints fear to follow her?

III. Her frown upon the pursuers; life to the beloved, fatal to the foe.

IV. To her let there be brought the chaplet of our praises. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:15. - Final victory.

I. Battalions of evil annihilated.

II. Love unharmed mounting immortal above the wave: "for his mercy endureth for ever."

III. Heaven resonant with the song of Moses and the Lamb, to him give thanks. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:16. -

I. Personal care, "To him which led."

II. Peculiar interest, "His people."

III. Persevering goodness: "Through the wilderness."

Psalm 136:16. - Led through the wilderness.

I. God's people must enter the wilderness for trial, for self knowledge, for development of graces, for preparation for Canaan.

II. God leads his people while in the wilderness. Their route, their provision, their discipline, their protection.

III. God will bring his people out of the wilderness. - C. A. D.

Psalm 136:17-22. - See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1285: "Sihon and Og; or, Mercies in Detail."

Psalm 136:21. -

I. Our portion, a heritage.

II. Our title-deed, a royal grant: "And gave."

III. Our praise, due to enduring mercy.

Psalm 136:23. - Prayer of the dying thief turned into a song.

Psalm 136:23, Psalm 136:24. - The gracious remembrance and the glorious redemption. - C. A. D.

Psalm 136:24. - Our enemies, our accomplished redemption, the author of it, and his reason for effecting it.

Psalm 136:24. - The multiplied redemptions of the Christian life, and their inexhaustible spring. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:25. - Divine housekeeping.

I. The Royal Commissariat.

II. Its spiritual counterpart: God's august provisioning for our immortal nature.

III. The queenly grace that hath the keeping of the keys: "for his mercy," etc. - W. B. H.

Psalm 136:26. - Consider,

I. How he rules in heaven.

II. How he rules earth from heaven.

III. How mercy is the eternal element of that rule, and therefore he is the eternal object of praise.

Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings

Whole Psalm

This Psalm was very probably composed by David, and given to the Levites to sing every day, 1 Chronicles 16:41. Solomon his son followed his example, and made use of it in singing at the dedication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 7:3-6); as Jehoshaphat seems to have done when he went out to war against his enemies (2 Chronicles 20:21). - John Gill.

Whole Psalm

The grand peculiarity of form in this Psalm is the regular recurrence, at the close of every verse, of a burden or refrain It has been a favourite idea with interpreters that such repetitions necessarily imply alternate or responsive choirs. But the other indications of this usage in the Psalter are extremely doubtful, and every exegetical condition may be satisfied by simply supposing that the singers, in some cases, answered their own questions, and that in others, as in that before us, the people united in the burden or chorus, as they were wont to do in the Amen. - Joseph Addison Alexander.

Whole Psalm

The Psalm is called by the Greek church Polyeleos, from its continual mention of the mercy of God. - Neale and Littledale.

Whole Psalm

In the liturgical language this Psalm is called par excellence the great Hallel, for according to its broadest compass the great Hallel comprehends Psalm 120 to 136, whilst the Hallel which is absolutely so called extends from Psalm 113-118. - Franz Delitzsch.

Whole Psalm

"Praise ye (הודוּ) Jehovah"; not as in Psalm 135:1, "Hallelujah," but varying the words, - "Be ye Judahs to the Lord!"

Praise him for what he is (Psalm 136:1-3).

Praise him for what he is able to do (Psalm 136:4).

Praise him for what he has done in creation (Psalm 136:5-9).

Praise him for what he did in redeeming Israel from bondage (Psalm 136:10-15),

Praise him for what he did in his providence toward them (Psalm 136:16-22).

Praise him for his grace in times of calamity (Psalm 136:23, 19 136:24).

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

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

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

Psalm 136:1

"O give thanks unto the Lord." The exhortation is intensely earnest: the Psalmist pleads with the Lord's people with an "O," three times repeated. Thanks are the least that we can offer, and these we ought freely to give. The inspired writer calls us to praise Jehovah for all his goodness to us, and all the greatness of his power in blessing his chosen. We thank our parents, let us praise our heavenly Father; we are grateful to our benefactors, let us give thanks unto the Giver of all good. "For he is good." Essentially he is goodness itself, practically all that he does is good, relatively he is good to his creatures. Let us thank him that we have seen, proved, and tasted that he is good. He is good beyond all others; indeed, he alone is good in the highest sense; he is the source of good, the good of all good, the sustainer of good, the perfecter of good, and the rewarder of good. For this he deserves the constant gratitude of his people. "For his mercy endureth for ever." We shall have this repeated in every verse of this song, but not once too often. It is the sweetest stanza that a man can sing. What joy that there is mercy, mercy with Jehovah, enduring mercy, mercy enduring for ever. We are ever needing it, trying it, praying for it, receiving it: therefore let us for ever sing of it.

"When all else is changing within and around,

In God and his mercy no change can be found."

Psalm 136:2

"O give thanks unto the God of gods," If there be powers in heaven or on earth worthy of the name of gods he is the God of them, from him their dominion comes, their authority is derived from him, and their very existence is dependent upon his will. Moreover, for the moment assuming that the deities of the heathen were gods, yet none of them could be compared with our Elohim, who is infinitely beyond what they are fabled to be. Jehovah is our God, to be worshipped and adored, and he is worthy of our reverence to the highest degree. If the heathen cultivate the worship of their gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of the God of gods - the only true and real God. Foolish persons have gathered from this verse that the Israelites believed in the existence of many gods, at the same time believing that their Jehovah was the chief among them; but this is an absurd inference, since gods who have a God over them cannot possibly be gods themselves. The words are to be understood after the usual manner of human speech, in which things are often spoken of not as they really are, but as they profess to be. God as God is worthy of our warmest thanks. "for his mercy endureth for ever." Imagine supreme Godhead without everlasting mercy! It would then have been as fruitful a source of terror as it Is now a fountain of thanksgiving. Let the Highest be praised in the highest style, for right well do his nature and his acts deserve the gratitude of all his creatures.

Praise your God with right good will,

For his love endureth still.

Psalm 136:3

"O give thanks to the Lord of lords." There are lords many, but Jehovah is the Lord of them. All lordship is vested in the Eternal. He makes and administers law, he rules and governs mind and matter, he possesses in himself all sovereignty and power. All lords in the plural are summed up in this Lord in the singular: he is more lordly than all emperors and kings condensed into one. For this we may well be thankful, for we know the superior Sovereign will rectify the abuses of the underlings who now lord it over mankind. He will call these lords to his bar, and reckon with them for every oppression and injustice. He is as truly the Lord of lords as he is Lord over the meanest of the land, and he rules with a strict impartiality, for which every just man should give heartiest thanks. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Yes, he mingles mercy with his justice, and reigns for the benefit of his subjects. He pities the sorrowful, protects the helpless, provides for the needy, and pardons the guilty; and this he does from generation to generation, never wearying of his grace, "because he delighteth in mercy." Let us arouse ourselves to laud our glorious Lord! A third time let us thank him who is our Jehovah, our God, and our Lord; and let this one reason suffice us for three thanksgivings, or for three thousand -

For his mercy shall endure,

continued...

4 To him who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 136:4

"To him who alone doeth great wonders." Jehovah is the great Thaumaturge, the unrivalled Wonderworker. None can be likened unto him, he is alone in wonderland, the Creator and Worker of true marvels, compared with which all other remarkable things are as child's play. His works are all great in wonder even when they are not great in size; in fact, in the minute objects of the microscope we behold as great wonders as even the telescope can reveal. All the works of his unrivalled skill are wrought by him alone and unaided, and to him, therefore, must be undivided honour. None of the gods or the lords helped Jehovah in creation, or in the redemption of his people: his own right hand and his holy arm wrought for him these great deeds. What have the gods of the heathen done? If the question be settled by doings, Jehovah is Indeed "alone." It is exceedingly wonderful that men should worship gods who can do nothing, and forget the Lord who alone doeth great wonders. Even when the Lord uses men as his Instruments, yet the wonder of the work is his alone; therefore let us not trust in men, or idolize them, or tremble before them. Praise is to be rendered to Jehovah, "for his mercy endureth for ever." The mercy of the wonder is the wonder of the mercy; and the enduring nature of that mercy is the central wonder of that wonder. The Lord causes us often to sit down in amazement as we see what his mercy has wrought out and prepared for us: "wonders of grace to God belong," yea, great wonders and unsearchable. Oh the depth! Glory be to his name world without end!

Doing wondrous deeds alone,

Mercy sits upon his throne.

Psalm 136:5

"To him that by wisdom made the heavens." His goodness appears in creating the upper regions. He set his wisdom to the task of fashioning a firmament, or an atmosphere suitable for a world upon which mortal men should dwell. What a mass of wisdom lies hidden in this one creating act! The discoveries of our keenest observers have never searched out all the evidences of design which are crowded together in this work of God's hands. The lives of plants, animals, and men are dependent upon the fashioning of our heavens: had the skies been other than they are we had not been here to praise God. Divine foresight planned the air and the clouds, with a view to the human race. "For his mercy endureth for ever." The Psalmist's details of mercy begin in the loftiest regions, and gradually descend from the heavens to "our low estate" (Psalm 136:23); and this is an ascent, for mercy becomes greater as its objects become less worthy. Mercy is far-reaching, long-enduring, all-encompassing. Nothing is too high for its reach, as nothing is beneath its stoop.

High as heaven his wisdom reigns,

Mercy on the throne remains.

continued...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 136:10

We have heard of the glory of the world's creation, we are now to praise the Lord for the creation of his favoured nation by their Exodus from Egypt. Because the monarch of Egypt stood in the way of the Lord's gracious purposes it became needful for the Lord to deal with him in justice; but the great design was mercy to Israel, and through Israel mercy to succeeding ages, to all the world. "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn." The last and greatest of the plagues struck all Egypt to the heart. The sorrow and the terror which it caused throughout the nation it is hardly possible to exaggerate. From king to slave each one was wounded in the tenderest point. The joy and hope of every household was struck down in one moment, and each family had its own wailing. The former blows had missed their aim compared with the last; but that "smote Egypt." The Lord's firstborn had been oppressed by Egypt, and at last the Lord fulfilled his threatening, "I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn." Justice lingered but it struck home at last. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Yes, even to the extremity of vengeance upon a whole nation the Lord's mercy to his people endured. He is slow to anger, and judgment is his strange work; but when mercy to men demands severe punishments he will not hold back his hand from the needful surgery. What were all the firstborn of Egypt compared with those divine purposes of mercy to all generations of men which were wrapt up in the deliverance of the elect people? Let us even when the Lord's judgments are abroad in the earth continue to sing of his unfailing grace.

For evermore his love shall last

For ever sure, for ever fast.

Psalm 136:11

"And brought out Israel from among them." Scattered as the tribes were up and down the country, and apparently held in a grasp which would never be relaxed, the Lord wrought their deliverance, and severed them from their idolatrous task-masters. None of them remained in bondage. The Lord brought them out; brought them out at the very hour when his promise was due; brought them out brought them all out; despite their being mingled among the Egyptians; brought them out never to return. Unto his name let us give thanks for this further proof of his favour to the chosen ones, "For his mercy endureth for ever." Once the Israelites did not care to go out, but preferred to bear the ills they had rather than risk they knew not what; but the Lord's mercy endured that test also, and ceased not to stir up the nest till the birds were glad to take to their wings. He turned the land of plenty into a house of bondage, and the persecuted nation was glad to escape from slavery.: The unfailing mercy of the Lord is gloriously seen in his separating his elect from the world. He brings out his redeemed, and they are henceforth a people who show forth his praise.

For God doth prove

Our constant friend;

continued...

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

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

18 And slew famous kings; for his mercy endureth for ever:

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

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

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

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

Psalm 136:16

"To him which led his people through the wilderness." He led them into it, and therefore he was pledged to lead them through it. They were "his people," and yet they must go into the wilderness, and the wilderness must remain as barren as ever it was; but in the end they must come out of it into the promised land. God's dealings are mysterious, but they must be right, simply because they are his. The people knew nothing of the way, but they were led; they were a vast host, yet they were all led; there were neither roads nor tracks, but being led by unerring wisdom they never lost their way. He who brought them out of Egypt, also led them through the wilderness. By Moses, and Aaron, and Jethro, and the pillar of cloud he led them. What a multitude of mercies are comprehended in the conduct of such an enormous host through a region wherein there was no provision even for single travellers; yet the Lord by his infinite power and wisdom conducted a whole nation for forty years through a desert land, and their feet did not swell, neither did their garments wax old in all the journey. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Their conduct in the wilderness tested his mercy most severely, but it bore the strain; many a time he forgave them; and though he smote them for their transgressions, yet he waited to be gracious and speedily turned to them in compassion. Their faithfulness soon failed, but his did not: the fiery, cloudy pillar which never ceased to lead the van was the visible proof of his immutable love -

For his mercy, changing never,

Still endureth, sure for ever.

Psalm 136:17

"To him which smote great kings." Within sight of their inheritance Israel had to face powerful enemies. Kings judged to be great because of the armies at their back blocked up their road. This difficulty soon disappeared, for the Lord smote their adversaries, and a single stroke sufficed for their destruction. He who had subdued the really mighty ruler of Egypt made short work of these petty sovereigns, great though they were in the esteem of neighbouring princes. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Mercy, which had brought the chosen tribes so far, would not be baulked by the opposition of boastful foes. The Lord who smote Pharaoh at the beginning of the wilderness march, smote Sihon and Og at the close of it. How could these kings hope to succeed when even mercy itself was in arms against them.

Evermore his mercy stands

continued...

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

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:23

"Who remembered us in our low estate." Personal mercies awake the sweetest songs "he remembered us." Our prayer is, "Lord remember me," and this is our encouragement - he has remembered us. For the Lord even to think of us is a wealth of mercy. Ours was a sorry estate, - an estate of bankruptcy and mendicancy. Israel rested in its heritage, but we were still in bondage, groaning in captivity, the Lord seemed to have forgotten us, and left us in our sorrow; but it was not so for long: he turned again in his compassion, bethinking himself of his afflicted children. Our state was once so low as to be at hell's mouth; since then it has been low in poverty, bereavement, despondency, sickness, and heart-sorrow, and we fear, also, sinfully low in faith, and love, and every other grace; and yet the Lord has not forgotten us as a dead thing out of mind; but he has tenderly remembered us still. We thought ourselves too small and too worthless for his memory to burden itself about us, yet he remembered us. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Yes, this is one of the best proofs of the immutability of his mercy, for if he could have changed towards any, it would certainly have been towards us who have brought ourselves low, kept ourselves low, and prepared ourselves to sink yet lower. It is memorable mercy to remember us in our low estate: in our highest joys we will exalt Jehovah's name, since of this we are sure, - he will not now desert us -

For his mercy full and free

Lasteth to eternity.

Psalm 136:24

"And hath redeemed us from our enemies." Israel's enemies brought the people low; but the Lord intervened, and turned the tables by a great redemption. The expression implies that they had become like slaves, and were not set free without price and power; for they needed to be "redeemed." In our case the redemption which is in Christ Jesus is an eminent reason for giving thanks unto the Lord. Sin is our enemy, and we are redeemed from it by the atoning blood; Satan is our enemy and we are redeemed from him by the Redeemer's power; the world is our enemy, and we are redeemed from it by the Holy Spirit. We are ransomed, let us enjoy our liberty; Christ has wrought our redemption, let us praise his name.

"For his mercy endureth for ever." Even to redemption by the death of his Son did divine mercy stretch itself. What more can be desired? What more can be imagined? Many waters could not quench love, neither could the floods drown it.

E'en to death upon the tree

Mercy dureth faithfully.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh - for his mercy endureth for ever.

"Who giveth food to all flesh." Common providence, which cares for all living things, deserves our devoutest thanks. If we think of heavenly food, by which all saints are supplied, our praises rise to a still greater height; but meanwhile the universal goodness of God in feeding all his creatures is as worthy of praise as his special favours to the elect nation. Because the Lord feeds all life therefore we expect him to take special care of his own family. "For his mercy endureth for ever." Reaching downward even to beasts and reptiles, it is, indeed, a boundless mercy, which knows no limit because of the meanness of its object.

All things living he doth feed,

His full hand supplies their need;

For his mercy shall endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven, for his mercy endureth for ever.

"O give thanks unto the God of heaven." The title is full of honour. The Lord is God in the highest realms, and among celestial beings. His throne is set in glory, above all, out of reach of foes, in the place of universal oversight. He who feeds ravens and sparrows is yet the glorious God of the highest realms. Angels count it their glory to proclaim his glory in every heavenly street. See herein the greatness of his nature, the depth of his condescension, and the range of his love. Mark the one sole cause of his bounty - "For his mercy endureth for ever." He hath done all things from this motive; and because his mercy never ceases, he will continue to multiply deeds of love world without end. Let us with all our powers of heart and tongue give thanks unto the holy name of Jehovah for ever and ever.

Change and decay in all around Isee,

O thou who changest not, abide with me.