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Commentary on Psalms 136 verses 1–9
The duty we are here again and again called to is to give thanks, to offer the sacrifice of praise continually, not the fruits of our ground or cattle, but the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name, Heb 13:15. We are never so earnestly called upon to pray and repent as to give thanks; for it is the will of God that we should abound most in the most pleasant exercises of religion, in that which is the work of heaven. Now here observe, 1. Whom we must give thanks to - to him that we receive all good from, to the Lord, Jehovah, Israel's God (Psa 136:1), the God of gods, the God whom angels adore, from whom magistrates derive their power, and by whom all pretended deities are and shall be conquered (Psa 136:2), to the Lord of lords, the Sovereign of all sovereigns, the stay and supporter of all supports; Psa 136:3. In all our adorations we must have an eye to God's excellency as transcendent, and to his power and dominion as incontestably and uncontrollably supreme. 2. What we must give thanks for, not as the Pharisee that made all his thanksgivings terminate in his own praise (God, I thank thee, that I am so and so), but directing them all to God's glory. (1.) We must give thanks to God for his goodness and mercy (Psa 136:1): Give thanks to the Lord, not only because he does good, but because he is good (all the streams must be traced up to the fountain), not only because he is merciful to us, but because his mercy endures for ever, and will be drawn out to those that shall come after us. We must give thanks to God, not only for that mercy which is now handed out to us here on earth, but for that which shall endure for ever in the glories and joys of heaven. (2.) We must give God thanks for the instances of his power and wisdom. In general (Psa 136:4), he along does great wonders. The contrivance is wonderful, the design being laid by infinite wisdom; the performance is wonderful, being put in execution by infinite power. He alone does marvellous things; none besides can do such things, and he does them without the assistance or advice of any other. More particularly, [1.] He made the heavens, and stretched them out, and in them we not only see his wisdom and power, but we taste his mercy in their benign influences; as long as the heavens endure the mercy of God endures in them, Psa 136:5. [2.] He raised the earth out of the waters when he caused the dry land to appear, that it might be fit to be a habitation for man, and therein also his mercy to man still endures (Psa 136:6); for the earth hath he given to the children of men, and all its products. [3.] Having made both heaven and earth, he settled a correspondence between them, notwithstanding their distance, by making the sun, moon, and stars, which he placed in the firmament of heaven, to shed their light and influences upon this earth, Psa 136:7-9. These are called the great lights because they appear so to us, for otherwise astronomers could tell us that the moon is less than many of the stars, but, being nearer to the earth, it seems much greater. They are said to rule, not only because they govern the seasons of the year, but because they are useful to the world, and benefactors are the best rulers, Luk 22:25. But the empire is divided, one rules by day, the other by night (at least, the stars), and yet all are subject to God's direction and disposal. Those rulers, therefore, which the Gentiles idolized, are the world's servants and God's subjects. Sun, stand thou still, and thou moon.
But what means, "who alone does great wonders"? Is it because many wonderful things He has done by means of angels and men? Some wonderful things there are which God does alone, and these he enumerates, saying, "who by His wisdom made the heavens" [Psalm 136:5], "who stretched out the earth above the waters" [Psalm 136:6], "who alone made great lights" [Psalm 136:7]. For this reason did he add "alone" in this verse also, because the other wonders which he is about to tell of, God did by means of man. For having said, "who alone made great lights," he goes on to explain what these are, "the sun to rule the day" [Psalm 136:8], "the moon and stars to govern the night" [Psalm 136:9]; then he begins to tell the wonders which He did by means of angels and men: "who smote Egypt with their first-born" [Psalm 136:10], and the rest. The whole creation then God manifestly made, not by means of any creature, but "alone;" and of this creation he has mentioned certain more eminent parts, that they might make us think on the whole; the heavens we can understand, and the earth we see. And as there are visible heavens too, by mentioning the lights in them, he has bid us look on the whole body of the heavens as made by Him.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 136:6 extols God's majestic power and unwavering faithfulness, specifically highlighting His foundational act of establishing the dry land "above the waters." This verse, embedded within a grand liturgical hymn, declares that the very order and stability of the created world are direct manifestations of God's enduring mercy, a steadfast love that provides a stable foundation for all existence. It serves as a profound reminder that divine power is inextricably linked with divine goodness, offering both a reason for worship and a source of profound comfort.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 136:6, in conjunction with its refrain, employs several powerful literary devices. Anthropomorphism is evident in the phrase "stretched out," which attributes a human-like action (stretching or hammering) to God, making His creative power more relatable and comprehensible. This imagery evokes a craftsman diligently shaping the world. The verse also utilizes vivid Imagery, painting a picture of the earth being carefully positioned "above the waters," conveying a sense of divine control and order over primeval chaos. The entire psalm, including this verse, relies heavily on Repetition through its consistent refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever." This repetition serves not only as a mnemonic device for communal worship but also as a profound theological emphasis, ensuring that every act of God, from creation to redemption, is understood as an an expression of His unchanging chêçêd. Furthermore, there is an implicit Parallelism between God's mighty acts of creation and His enduring mercy, suggesting that these two aspects of His character are not separate but intrinsically linked.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 136:6 profoundly links God's immense creative power with His eternal mercy. It teaches us that the very fabric of the cosmos, the stable ground beneath our feet, is not merely a product of raw, indifferent power, but rather an intentional act of a God whose nature is chêçêd—steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. This means that the order and beauty we observe in creation are not accidental but are tangible expressions of God's benevolent character and His commitment to His creation. His power is always exercised in accordance with His loving-kindness, providing a secure and habitable world for humanity to flourish. This foundational truth assures us that the God who brought order out of chaos is also the God whose love for His creation is unending, providing a secure basis for trust and worship.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound assurance and a compelling call to worship. In a world that often feels chaotic, uncertain, and unstable, remembering that God is the one who "stretched out the earth above the waters" reminds us of His sovereign control and His ability to bring order out of even the most formidable chaos. His creative power is matched only by His eternal mercy, meaning that His powerful acts are always rooted in His loyal love for humanity. This truth should inspire not only awe at His majesty but also deep trust in His character. If God can establish the very foundations of the earth with such power and precision, motivated by an unending mercy, then He is certainly capable of sustaining and guiding our individual lives and the course of history. This should move us to profound Praise for His incredible power and unfailing love, which are evident in every aspect of creation around us. It should also bring immense Comfort, knowing that the unchanging nature of God's mercy means that even when circumstances seem overwhelming, His steadfast love endures forever, providing a constant source of hope and faithfulness in an ever-changing world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "stretched out the earth above the waters" mean in a scientific sense?
Answer: Biblically, this phrase describes God's act of creating dry land from a watery, unformed state, as detailed in Genesis 1:9-10. It's a theological statement about God's sovereignty and power to bring order out of primeval chaos, rather than a scientific explanation of geological processes. The imagery of "stretching out" (Hebrew: râqaʻ) suggests a powerful, intentional act of formation, akin to a craftsman spreading out a sheet. It emphasizes God's deliberate establishment of a stable, habitable world, setting boundaries for the waters, and providing a foundation for life. The Bible's primary purpose is to reveal the Who and Why of creation (God's power and mercy), not the How in modern scientific terms.
How does God's mercy relate to His power in creation?
Answer: Psalm 136:6, with its repeated refrain, explicitly links God's creative power to His enduring mercy (Hebrew: chêçêd). This connection is profound: it means that God's power is not arbitrary or detached, but is always exercised in accordance with His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. The creation of a stable earth "above the waters" is not just a display of might, but an act of benevolent provision, establishing a secure and habitable world for humanity. God's power in creation is thus an expression of His active, loyal love for His creatures, ensuring that His mighty acts are always for the good of His creation. This theme is consistent throughout scripture, where God's power is often demonstrated in acts of salvation and sustenance, all rooted in His chêçêd, as seen in passages like Psalm 145:9.
Is "for his mercy endureth for ever" just a repetitive phrase, or does it hold deeper meaning?
Answer: Far from being mere repetition, the phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" (Hebrew: chêçêd ʻôwlâm) is the theological cornerstone of Psalm 136. It serves as a constant, unwavering affirmation of God's character and the underlying motivation for all His actions. Each time it is declared, it recontextualizes the preceding mighty act, whether it's creation, the Exodus, or daily provision, as an outflow of God's eternal, steadfast, and covenantal love. This refrain transforms the psalm from a simple list of deeds into a profound meditation on the enduring nature of God's faithfulness. It assures the worshiper that God's love is immutable, providing a firm foundation for trust and hope, as also expressed in 1 Chronicles 16:34.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 136:6, with its declaration of God stretching out the earth above the waters by His enduring mercy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that Jesus is not merely a recipient of God's mercy, but He is the very agent through whom God's creative power and eternal chêçêd are manifested. John 1:3 states that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," while Colossians 1:16 affirms that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." Thus, the very act of establishing the earth's foundations, celebrated in Psalm 136:6, was accomplished through the pre-existent Christ. Furthermore, Jesus perfectly embodies and delivers God's enduring mercy. The chêçêd that endures forever is most powerfully expressed in His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, where God's steadfast love triumphs over sin and chaos, bringing about a new creation. Just as God brought order out of the primeval waters, Christ brings spiritual order and life out of the chaos of sin and death, offering eternal salvation to all who believe, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:4-5. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, demonstrating God's ultimate act of mercy, a love that endures forever and secures our eternal dwelling.