Psalms136

Psalm 136 is a hymn of thanksgiving, repeatedly declaring that the LORD's mercy "endureth for ever." It enumerates God's goodness as the Creator of the heavens and earth, and the provider of great lights. The psalm also recounts His mighty acts of deliverance for Israel, from the Exodus out of Egypt to the conquest of kings and the granting of their land as an inheritance. It concludes by praising God for remembering His people and providing for all flesh.
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Call to Thank the Supreme Lord

1
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever.

God's Wonders in Creation

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He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever.
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By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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He made the great lights— His loving devotion endures forever.
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the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever.
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the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.

God's Mighty Acts in the Exodus

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He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.
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with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever.
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and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever.
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but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever. ​

Defeating Kings and Giving the Land

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He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.
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He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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and slaughtered mighty kings— His loving devotion endures forever.
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Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever.
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and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever.
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a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever. ​

Universal Provision and Enduring Mercy

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He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.
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He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever. ​
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Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.

Study Notes for Psalms 136

Verse 1

This psalm is a liturgical hymn (a responsory) where the refrain, 'for his mercy endureth forever,' emphasizes God's *hesed*—steadfast, covenant loyalty and lovingkindness—as the enduring basis for all creation and redemption.

Verse 2

The titles 'God of gods' and 'Lord of lords' assert Yahweh's absolute sovereignty, transcending all other deities or earthly rulers falsely claimed by surrounding nations.

Verse 5

The creation account here highlights that the heavens were made not by chance or mere power, but by God’s wisdom and intelligent design, reflecting divine purpose.

Verse 6

This reflects an ancient Hebrew cosmological understanding where the earth was established upon the primordial waters, kept stable by God’s power (cf. Gen 1:9, Ps 24:2).

Verse 10

The smiting of the firstborn was the culminating tenth plague, which broke Pharaoh’s will and forced the release of Israel, demonstrating God’s power over the gods of Egypt.

Verse 12

The phrase 'strong hand, and with a stretched out arm' is a common biblical idiom emphasizing God's irresistible power utilized specifically for Israel's deliverance (Deut 4:34).

Verse 15

The contrast between Israel passing through safely and the destruction of Pharaoh and his army underscores the selective nature of God's *hesed*—it is saving for his people but judgmental toward their oppressors.

Verse 17

The focus shifts from the dramatic events of the Exodus to the necessary, often violent, conquest required to secure the promised inheritance (Num 21).

Verse 19

Sihon and Og were key enemies defeated east of the Jordan, whose lands were the first territories settled by Israelite tribes (Deut 3:1-11).

Verse 22

Giving the land as an heritage fulfills the foundational promise made to Abraham, establishing Israel not only as a rescued people but as a recognized nation with a permanent dwelling place.

Verse 23

“Low estate” (or humiliation) likely refers to a period of national distress, perhaps the later Babylonian exile, demonstrating that God's covenant loyalty extends beyond the initial Exodus to all subsequent crises.

Verse 25

This verse expands the scope of God’s *hesed* from specific historical acts for Israel to universal, ongoing provision for all living things, showing his goodness to creation generally.

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