Psalms 136:11

Translation
King James Version
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV (with Strong's)
And brought out H3318 Israel H3478 from among H8432 them: for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever H5769:
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Complete Jewish Bible
and brought Isra'el out from among them, for his grace continues forever;
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Berean Standard Bible
and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.
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American Standard Version
And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever;
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World English Bible Messianic
And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And brought out Israel from among them (for his mercie endureth for euer)
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Young's Literal Translation
And bringing forth Israel from their midst, For to the age is His kindness.
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See also
Exodus 12:51Exodus 13:3Exodus 13:171 Samuel 12:61 Samuel 12:8Psalms 78:52Psalms 105:37
In the KJVVerse 16,208 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 136:11 celebrates a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage. This verse, embedded within a liturgical psalm that systematically recounts God's mighty deeds from creation to the conquest of Canaan, underscores that this monumental rescue was solely by God's powerful hand, not human strength. It serves as a profound testament to the enduring nature of His covenantal love and unwavering faithfulness, a central theme powerfully reinforced by the psalm's recurring refrain.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 136 is a unique liturgical psalm, often referred to as the "Great Hallel" or "The Great Thanksgiving," likely employed in temple worship with a responsive refrain from the congregation. It systematically enumerates God's benevolence and power, commencing with His cosmic creative acts (verses 1-9) before transitioning to His redemptive interventions in Israel's history. Verse 11 is an integral part of a sequence (verses 10-22) that specifically details the Exodus and the subsequent journey to the Promised Land. The preceding verse, which describes the judgment on Egypt's firstborn (Psalms 136:10), dramatically sets the stage for the miraculous liberation articulated in verse 11. The consistent, rhythmic refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," punctuates each declaration of God's deeds, profoundly reinforcing the eternal quality of His chêçêd (steadfast love) as the unchanging motivation behind all His actions.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Exodus from Egypt, comprehensively recounted in Exodus 12, stands as the singular, defining event in Israelite history. It fundamentally shaped their national identity, their theological understanding of Yahweh, and the very nature of their covenant relationship with Him. For centuries, this event served as the paradigmatic example of God's unparalleled power, unwavering faithfulness, and profound commitment to His chosen people. The harrowing memory of Egyptian slavery and the subsequent divine liberation permeated every facet of Israelite culture, influencing their foundational laws, their annual festivals (such as Passover, detailed in Exodus 12:1-28), and the messages of their prophets. The "bringing out" was a dramatic, public, and undeniable display of divine sovereignty over the most formidable empire of the ancient Near East, unequivocally demonstrating that Israel's God was unique, supreme, and actively involved in human affairs. This act not only established Israel as God's chosen people but also bound them to Him by an unbreakable covenant.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that resonate throughout Psalms 136 and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of Divine Deliverance, which highlights God's active, sovereign, and often miraculous intervention to rescue His people from oppression. This deliverance is consistently portrayed as an act of God's power, not human might. This act of liberation also profoundly underscores God's Faithfulness to His Covenant, as the Exodus was a direct and undeniable fulfillment of promises made to Abraham centuries earlier, particularly concerning his descendants becoming a great nation and inheriting a promised land, as recorded in Genesis 15:13-14. However, the most prominent and pervasive theme in this psalm, and central to this verse, is Enduring Mercy (Chesed). The repeated refrain emphasizes that every single act of God, from the grand scale of creation to the intimate details of redemption, is rooted in His steadfast, loyal, and unwavering love. This chêçêd is not merely a fleeting emotion but a covenantal commitment that endures "for ever," providing an eternal and immutable foundation for Israel's hope and trust in God.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • brought out (Hebrew, yâtsâʼ', H3318): This primitive root (H3318) signifies "to go (causatively, bring) out" in a vast array of applications, both literal and figurative. In the context of Psalms 136:11, it powerfully conveys God's active, decisive, and sovereign act of leading Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. It implies a forceful extraction and a purposeful deliverance, emphasizing that Israel's freedom was not achieved by their own efforts but was a direct and undeniable result of divine intervention and power.
  • mercy (Hebrew, chêçêd', H2617): This rich theological term (H2617) denotes "kindness" or "piety," often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love." It encompasses profound ideas of covenant faithfulness, unwavering loyalty, and enduring commitment. In the context of the psalm, chêçêd is the unchanging attribute of God that motivates all His redemptive acts. It signifies His loyal love towards His covenant people, a love that persists despite their failures and ensures His continued faithfulness to His promises across generations.
  • for ever (Hebrew, ʻôwlâm', H5769): This word (H5769), derived from a root meaning "concealed" or "the vanishing point," refers to time out of mind, encompassing both past and future, practically signifying eternity. When combined with chêçêd, as in the psalm's ubiquitous refrain, it emphasizes the eternal, perpetual, and unending nature of God's mercy. It assures the worshiper that His loyal love is not temporary or conditional but an enduring, intrinsic characteristic of His being, providing a secure and constant foundation for His relationship with humanity throughout all time.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And brought out Israel from among them": This clause directly references the Exodus, the climactic and foundational event of Israel's liberation from centuries of Egyptian slavery. The verb "brought out" (from yâtsâʼ) emphatically highlights God's active agency, immense power, and sovereign initiative in this deliverance. "Israel" refers to the entire nation, the descendants of Jacob, who had multiplied significantly while enslaved in Egypt. "From among them" specifically denotes their distinct separation from the Egyptians, emphasizing a clear act of divine intervention that set God's chosen people apart from their oppressors. This was a tangible, historical event, yet profoundly spiritual in its implications, demonstrating God's supreme power over human empires and His unique relationship with His covenant people.
  • "for his mercy endureth for ever": This is the psalm's recurring refrain, providing the essential theological rationale and interpretive lens for every divine act mentioned. The "for" (Hebrew kî) indicates causation or explanation: God brought Israel out because His mercy endures forever. "His mercy" (from chêçêd) refers to God's steadfast, covenantal love, loyalty, and unwavering faithfulness. "Endureth for ever" (from ʻôwlâm) underscores the eternal, unchanging, and perpetual nature of this divine attribute. This phrase elevates the historical event into a timeless testimony to God's unwavering character, assuring the worshiper that His chêçêd is the constant, immutable foundation of His dealings with humanity, providing a secure hope that spans past, present, and future.

Literary Devices

Psalms 136:11, like the entire psalm, prominently features Repetition, with the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" appearing after every declarative statement of God's deeds. This serves as a powerful mnemonic device, aiding communal worship and deeply embedding the central theological truth of God's enduring chêçêd into the hearts and minds of the worshipers. The psalm's structure also masterfully employs Parallelism, specifically a form of Staircase Parallelism or Anaphoric Parallelism, where each new line builds upon the previous one, culminating in the same repeated refrain. This creates a cumulative effect, emphasizing the vastness, consistency, and inexhaustible nature of God's mercy across diverse acts of creation and redemption. The phrase "brought out Israel" can also be seen as an instance of Synecdoche, where "Israel" represents the entire nation, encompassing all its individuals, families, and tribes, highlighting God's comprehensive and holistic care for His covenant people.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 136:11 profoundly connects the historical act of the Exodus to the eternal character of God. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is presented not as an isolated incident but as a direct and undeniable manifestation of God's enduring mercy (chêçêd). This establishes a foundational theological truth: God's actions in history are consistently rooted in His unchanging, steadfast love. This principle provides immense comfort and assurance to believers across generations, demonstrating that the God who acted powerfully in the past remains the same God who is eternally faithful in the present and future. It teaches that divine intervention, whether in grand historical movements or personal circumstances, is always an expression of His loyal commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that His promises are secured by His eternal nature and unfailing love.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 136:11 offers a timeless message of profound hope and a compelling call to unwavering trust in God's character. Just as the ancient Israelites looked back to the Exodus as irrefutable proof of God's immense power and unassailable faithfulness, believers today can draw immense strength and courage from this historical precedent. No matter the "Egypt" we may face—whether it be spiritual bondage to sin, oppressive circumstances, overwhelming anxieties, or seemingly insurmountable challenges—this verse serves as a potent reminder that God's power to deliver and His mercy to sustain are eternal and undiminished. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of deep gratitude, recognizing that every blessing, every instance of protection, and every deliverance in our lives flows from the same unchanging chêçêd that miraculously liberated Israel. This profound truth should inspire us to live in confident reliance on Him, knowing that His steadfast love is the secure and unwavering anchor for our souls, a love that never fails, always endures, and is eternally sufficient for all our needs.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "Egypts" or forms of bondage in your life do you need God's enduring mercy to deliver you from today?
  • How does reflecting on God's historical acts of deliverance, like the Exodus, strengthen your faith in His present and future faithfulness towards you?
  • In what practical ways can you more consistently acknowledge and give thanks for God's "mercy that endureth for ever" in your daily life and interactions?

FAQ

What is the significance of the repeated phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" in Psalms 136?

Answer: The repeated phrase, "for his mercy endureth for ever," which appears 26 times in Psalms 136, serves as the theological bedrock and interpretive key of the entire psalm. It is a profound declaration that every act of God—from the grand scale of creation (Psalms 136:5) to the momentous Exodus (Psalms 136:11), to the faithful provision in the wilderness (Psalms 136:16)—is motivated, sustained, and defined by His unchanging, steadfast love (chêçêd). This pervasive repetition emphasizes the eternal, unwavering, and perpetual nature of God's covenant faithfulness, assuring the worshiper that His character is constant and His commitment to His people is boundless. It transforms historical events into timeless testimonies of divine grace, inviting a responsive posture of gratitude, worship, and unwavering trust.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Psalms 136:11 celebrates a historical, physical deliverance, its deepest and most profound fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's enduring mercy in the ultimate redemptive act. The Exodus, where Israel was "brought out" of physical slavery, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual liberation accomplished by Christ for all humanity. Just as God "brought out Israel from among them," so too did He, through Christ, "bring out" humanity from the far more pervasive and destructive bondage of sin and death, transferring us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Jesus is the ultimate Lamb of God, whose perfect and atoning sacrifice secures a new and greater Exodus, delivering His people from the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light, not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). The "mercy that endureth for ever" finds its most complete and glorious expression in the cross, where God's steadfast love was supremely demonstrated for us while we were still sinners, making a way for eternal salvation and reconciliation with a holy God (Romans 5:8). Thus, the ancient refrain of God's enduring mercy resonates with profound new meaning in the New Covenant, revealing Christ as the eternal embodiment of God's chêçêd for all who believe, for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).

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Commentary on Psalms 136 verses 10–22

The great things God for Israel, when he first formed them into a people, and set up his kingdom among them, are here mentioned, as often elsewhere in the psalms, as instances both of the power of God and of the particular kindness he had for Israel. See Psa 135:8, etc. 1. He brought them out of Egypt, Psa 136:10-12. That was a mercy which endured long to them, and our redemption by Christ, which was typified by that, does indeed endure for ever, for it is an eternal redemption. Of all the plagues of Egypt, none is mentioned but the death of the first-born, because that was the conquering plague; by that God, who in all the plagues distinguished the Israelites from the Egyptians, brought them at last from among them, not by a wile, but with a strong hand and an arm stretched out to reach far and do great things. These miracles of mercy, as they proved Moses's commission to give law to Israel, so they laid Israel under lasting obligations to obey that law, Exo 20:2. 2. He forced them a way through the Red Sea, which obstructed them at their first setting out. By the power he has to control the common course of nature he divided the sea into two parts, between which he opened a path, and made Israel to pass between the parts, now that they were to enter into covenant with him; see Jer 34:18. He not only divided the sea, but gave his people courage to go through it when it was divided, which was an instance of God's power over men's hearts, as the former of his power over the waters. And, to make it a miracle of justice as well as mercy, the same Red Sea that was a lane to the Israelites was a grave to their pursuers. There he shook off Pharaoh and his host. 3. He conducted them through a vast howling wilderness (Psa 136:16); there he led them and fed them. Their camp was victualled and fortified by a constant series of miracles for forty years; though they loitered and wandered there, they were not lost. And in this the mercy of God, and the constancy of that mercy, were the more observable because they often provoked him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert. 4. He destroyed kings before them, to make room for them (Psa 136:17, Psa 136:18), not deposed and banished them, but smote and slew them, in which appeared his wrath against them, but his mercy, his never-failing mercy, to Israel. And that which magnified it was that they were great kings and famous kings, yet God subdued them as easily as if they had been the least, and weakest, and meanest, of the children of men. They were wicked kings, and then their grandeur and lustre would not secure them from the justice of God. The more great and famous they were the more did God's mercy to Israel appear in giving such kings for them. Sihon and Og are particularly mentioned, because they were the first two that were conquered on the other side Jordan, Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20. It is good to enter into the detail of God's favours and not to view them in the gross, and in each instance to observe, and own, that God's mercy endureth for ever. 5. He put them in possession of a good land, Psa 136:21, Psa 136:22. He whose the earth is, and the fulness thereof, the world and those that dwell therein, took land from one people and gave it to another, as pleased him. The iniquity of the Amorites was now full, and therefore it was taken from them. Israel was his servant, and, though they had been provoking in the wilderness, yet he intended to have some service out of them, for to them pertained the service of God. As he said to the Egyptians, Let my people go, so to the Canaanites, Let my people in, that they may serve me. In this God's mercy to them endureth for ever, because it was a figure of the heavenly Canaan, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–22. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 136
"Who brought out Israel from the midst of them" [Psalm 136:11]. He brought out also His saints and faithful ones from the midst of the wicked.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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