Psalms 136:24

Translation
King James Version
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And hath redeemed H6561 us from our enemies H6862: for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever H5769.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
and rescues us from our enemies, for his grace continues forever;
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.
Ask
American Standard Version
And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever:
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
And hath rescued vs from our oppressours: for his mercie endureth for euer:
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
And He delivereth us from our adversaries, For to the age is His kindness.
Ask
See also
Psalms 107:2Exodus 15:13Isaiah 63:9Titus 2:14Deuteronomy 15:15Luke 1:68Luke 1:74
In the KJVVerse 16,221 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 136:24 serves as a powerful declaration within a grand liturgical hymn, affirming God's active and unwavering commitment to His people. It highlights His sovereign act of redemption, delivering His chosen from oppressive adversaries, and attributes this saving power to His unchanging, eternal mercy. This verse encapsulates the core message of the entire psalm: that every divine intervention, from creation to personal deliverance, flows from the boundless and everlasting nature of God's steadfast love.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 136 is a unique liturgical psalm, often referred to as the "Great Hallel" or "The Great Thanksgiving." Its distinctive feature is the repetitive refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," which follows each declaration of God's mighty acts. The psalm begins with a universal call to praise God for His greatness and His creative power, as seen in Psalms 136:1-9. It then transitions to recounting God's historical interventions on behalf of Israel, specifically the Exodus from Egypt (Psalms 136:10-15), the wilderness wanderings and provision (Psalms 136:16), and the conquest of the Promised Land (Psalms 136:17-22). Verse 24 falls within the concluding section (Psalms 136:23-26), which narrows the focus to God's specific care for Israel in their "low estate" and His ongoing provision for all living things. Thus, verse 24 serves as a specific historical reminder of God's consistent role as Redeemer, reinforcing the psalm's central theme of His eternal mercy.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: This psalm was likely used in communal worship, possibly as a responsive reading in the Temple. The structure, with its repeated refrain, suggests a call-and-response format where a leader or choir would declare God's acts, and the congregation would respond with "for his mercy endureth for ever." This practice would have fostered a deep sense of corporate memory and gratitude, embedding the historical narrative of God's faithfulness into the hearts of the worshipers. The "enemies" mentioned in the verse would have resonated deeply with Israel's history of oppression, from the Egyptians to various neighboring nations and empires that sought to subjugate them. The act of "redeeming" them from these adversaries would recall specific deliverances, reinforcing the understanding of Yahweh as their active Protector and Deliverer, a foundational aspect of their covenant relationship with Him.
  • Key Themes: The overarching theme of Psalms 136, powerfully reinforced by verse 24, is God's Enduring Mercy (Hesed). This divine attribute is not merely an emotion but an active, covenantal faithfulness that undergirds all of God's actions, from creation to redemption. The verse also highlights Divine Redemption and Deliverance, showcasing God's powerful intervention to free His people from bondage and oppression. This theme is central to Israel's identity, rooted in the foundational event of the Exodus, where God "redeemed" them from slavery in Egypt, as promised in Exodus 6:6. Furthermore, the psalm encourages Gratitude and Remembrance, urging the community to recall God's past mercies as a basis for present trust and future hope. The very act of reciting this psalm, particularly the refrain, was a communal act of remembering God's consistent character, as seen in other calls to remembrance throughout the Psalms, such as Psalm 77:11.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Redeemed (Hebrew, pâraq', H6561): This verb carries the primary meaning "to break off or crunch," and figuratively, "to deliver." In the context of redemption, it implies a forceful, decisive act of liberation. It's not a gentle release but a breaking of bonds, a tearing away from a grip. This highlights the power and authority with which God intervenes to free His people from their oppressors, often through dramatic and overwhelming displays of strength.
  • Enemies (Hebrew, tsar', H6862): Derived from a root meaning "to be narrow" or "to be in a tight place," this word refers to an opponent, an adversary, or a source of distress. It encompasses not only external human foes but also the "tight places" or "anguish" that such opposition creates. Thus, "enemies" here signifies all forms of oppression, affliction, and tribulation that threaten God's people, from which He delivers them.
  • Mercy (Hebrew, chêçêd', H2617): This is one of the richest theological terms in the Old Testament, often translated as "steadfast love," "loyal love," "covenant faithfulness," or "loving-kindness." It signifies God's active, unwavering commitment to His covenant people, characterized by kindness, favor, and a deep, enduring loyalty. It's not merely pity but a relational attribute that drives God to act on behalf of those with whom He has made a covenant, ensuring their welfare and deliverance.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And hath redeemed us from our enemies:" This clause declares God's active and powerful intervention in the lives of His people. The use of "redeemed" (Hebrew pâraq) emphasizes a decisive, often forceful, act of liberation. It speaks to God's historical and ongoing role as the one who breaks the bonds of oppression and delivers His people from the grip of those who seek to harm or enslave them. This refers broadly to Israel's numerous deliverances from various adversaries throughout their history, underscoring God's consistent faithfulness in protecting His covenant community.
  • "for his mercy endureth for ever." This is the psalm's central refrain and the theological foundation for God's redemptive acts. The phrase "his mercy" (Hebrew chêçêd) refers to God's steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love. The declaration that it "endureth for ever" (Hebrew ʻôwlâm) signifies its eternal, unchanging, and perpetual nature. This means God's redemptive actions are not arbitrary or temporary; they flow from His very character of unwavering love and faithfulness, which is constant across all generations and circumstances. It provides ultimate assurance that His commitment to His people will never fail.

Literary Devices

The most prominent literary device in Psalms 136:24, and indeed the entire psalm, is Repetition, specifically through the use of a Refrain. The phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" is repeated after every declaration of God's mighty acts, serving as a powerful liturgical response. This repetition emphasizes the unwavering and eternal nature of God's hesed (mercy/steadfast love), ensuring that the central theological truth of the psalm is deeply impressed upon the worshiper. It functions as a constant reminder that all of God's interventions, whether in creation, history, or personal deliverance, are rooted in this unchanging attribute. The psalm also employs Anaphora, where the same phrase begins or ends successive clauses or verses, further reinforcing the refrain's impact. Additionally, there is an implicit Cause-and-Effect Relationship or Reasoning established by the word "for" (Hebrew ki), indicating that God's redemption of His people is because His mercy endures forever. This highlights the theological grounding of His actions in His character.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 136:24 profoundly connects God's historical acts of redemption with His unchanging nature of hesed, or steadfast love. The verse teaches that God's deliverance of His people from their "enemies" is not an isolated event but a consistent manifestation of His eternal character. This deep theological truth assures believers that God's commitment to His covenant is unwavering, providing a secure foundation for faith amidst any challenge. It reveals that His power is always exercised in conjunction with His love, making Him a reliable and compassionate deliverer. This enduring mercy is the wellspring from which all salvation flows, both in the Old Testament narrative of Israel's liberation and in the broader scope of redemptive history.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 136:24 offers profound encouragement and a call to worship for believers today. It reminds us that the same God who powerfully delivered ancient Israel from their adversaries is still active and unchanging in His character. Whatever "enemies" we face—be they spiritual forces, as described in Ephesians 6:12, personal struggles, oppressive circumstances, or the internal battles against sin and despair—we can confidently look to God as our Redeemer. Our hope is not placed in our own strength or the fleeting nature of circumstances, but in the eternal and unfailing hesed of God. This truth invites us to cultivate a spirit of continuous thanksgiving, remembering God's past interventions in our lives and acknowledging that every blessing, every deliverance, flows from His enduring mercy. It calls us to trust that His loyal love will prevail, even when we feel in a "tight place" or surrounded by opposition, prompting us to lean into His sovereign power and compassionate heart.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does remembering God's past acts of redemption, both in biblical history and in your own life, strengthen your faith in His present and future help?
  • In what specific "tight places" or from what "enemies" do you need to experience God's redeeming power today?
  • How can the unchanging nature of God's mercy (hesed) provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty and fear?

FAQ

What is the significance of the repeated refrain in Psalm 136?

Answer: The repeated refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," is the theological anchor of Psalm 136. Its significance is multi-faceted: it emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's character, asserting that His steadfast love (hesed) is the eternal foundation for all His actions; it serves as a liturgical device for communal worship, fostering corporate memory and participation; and it acts as a constant theological affirmation, reinforcing that every act of creation, deliverance, and provision is motivated by and flows from God's boundless and perpetual mercy. It ensures that the worshiper never loses sight of the divine motivation behind God's mighty deeds.

How does "mercy" in this verse relate to "love" or "faithfulness"?

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "mercy" here is chêçêd (H2617), a rich term that encompasses far more than mere pity or compassion. It is best understood as steadfast love, loyal kindness, or covenant faithfulness. While it includes aspects of love and compassion, chêçêd specifically highlights God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His covenant people. It's an active, relational love that drives Him to fulfill His obligations and to act for the well-being of those with whom He has established a relationship. Therefore, God's "mercy" is His active, loyal love that ensures His faithfulness to redeem and sustain His people.

Does "enemies" only refer to physical adversaries in this context?

Answer: While "enemies" (Hebrew tsar, H6862) certainly refers to the physical adversaries that Israel faced throughout its history (e.g., Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines), the underlying meaning of tsar as "narrow" or "a tight place" suggests a broader scope. It can encompass any form of distress, oppression, anguish, or tribulation that puts God's people in a difficult or threatening situation. Thus, "enemies" can symbolize not only external human foes but also the broader circumstances, spiritual forces, or internal struggles that seek to diminish or destroy God's people. God's redemption extends to all such "tight places" from which His people need deliverance.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 136:24 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament speaks of God's historical redemption of Israel from physical enemies, the New Testament reveals the spiritual and eternal redemption accomplished through Christ. The "enemies" from which humanity truly needed deliverance were sin, death, and the power of the devil, as highlighted in Hebrews 2:14-15. It was God's eternal hesed—His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness—that motivated Him to send His Son as the ultimate Redeemer. Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, accomplished this by His atoning sacrifice on the cross, breaking the bonds of sin and death that held humanity captive, as declared in Colossians 1:13-14. His resurrection sealed the victory, demonstrating God's power to deliver us from our greatest adversaries. Through Christ, God's mercy truly "endures forever," as His redemptive work provides a new covenant of grace (Hebrews 8:6) and eternal life for all who believe, showcasing the boundless and unchanging nature of His love, powerfully demonstrated in Romans 5:8.

Copy as

Commentary on Psalms 136 verses 23–26

God's everlasting mercy is here celebrated, 1. In the redemption of his church, Psa 136:23, Psa 136:24. In the many redemptions wrought for the Jewish church out of the hands of their oppressors (when, in the years of their servitude, their estate was very low, God remembered them, and raised them up saviours, the judges, and David, at length, by whom God gave them rest from all their enemies), but especially in the great redemption of the universal church, of which these were types, we have a great deal of reason to say, "He remembered us, the children of men, in our low estate, in our lost estate, for his mercy endureth for ever; he sent his Son to redeem us from sin, and death, and hell, and all our spiritual enemies, for his mercy endureth for ever; he was sent to redeem us, and not the angels that sinned, for his mercy endureth for ever." 2. In the provision he makes for all the creatures (Psa 136:25): He gives food to all flesh. It is an instance of the mercy of God's providence that wherever he has given life he gives food agreeable and sufficient; and he is a good housekeeper that provides for so large a family. 3. In all his glories, and all his gifts (Psa 136:26): Give thanks to the God of heaven. This denotes him to be a glorious God, and the glory of his mercy is to be taken notice of in our praises. The riches of his glory are displayed in the vessels of his mercy, Rom 9:23. It also denotes him to be the great benefactor, for every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights, the God of heaven; and we should trace every stream to the fountain. This and that particular mercy may perhaps endure but a while, but the mercy that is in God endures for ever; it is an inexhaustible fountain.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 23–26. Public domain.
Copy as
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 136
"Who remembered us in our low estate" [Psalm 136:23], "and redeemed us from our enemies" [Psalm 136:24] by the Blood of His only-begotten Son.
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.
Copy as

Continue studying Psalms 136:24 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.