Psalms 136:16

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

To him which led {H3212} his people {H5971} through the wilderness {H4057}: for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}.

to him who led his people through the desert, for his grace continues forever;

He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.

To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever:

Commentary

Psalm 136 is a powerful hymn of praise, often called the "Great Hallel," which recounts God's mighty acts of creation and redemption. Each verse is followed by the refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," emphasizing the eternal nature of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

Context

Verse 16 specifically focuses on a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their journey through the wilderness after being delivered from Egyptian bondage. This period, lasting forty years, was fraught with challenges, tests, and divine provision. The psalmist highlights God's active role as the leader and guide of His people, a testament to His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. This verse reminds the reader of God's continuous care, even in the most desolate and trying circumstances, following their miraculous passage through the Red Sea.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Providence: The phrase "led his people through the wilderness" underscores God's direct, personal, and active involvement in the lives of His chosen ones. He did not abandon them but guided them every step of the way, providing sustenance and direction, often through a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
  • God's Enduring Mercy (Hesed): The refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" is central to this psalm. The Hebrew word for mercy here is hesed, which signifies more than mere pity; it encompasses God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, faithfulness, and grace. It's a love that endures through all trials, rebellions, and failures, constantly seeking to restore and preserve His people.
  • Faithfulness to Covenant: The wilderness journey was a period of both testing and profound demonstration of God's faithfulness. Despite Israel's frequent complaints and disobedience, God remained true to His promise to bring them into the Promised Land, showcasing His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mercy" in this verse, and throughout Psalm 136, is the Hebrew word hesed (ื—ึถืกึถื“). As mentioned, this word is rich in meaning, conveying notions of loyal love, covenant faithfulness, kindness, and steadfastness. It highlights God's unwavering character and His commitment to His promises, regardless of human performance. It is a love that perseveres and provides, even in the most challenging environments like the wilderness.

Practical Application

Psalm 136:16 offers profound reassurance for believers today. Just as God faithfully led Israel through the wilderness, He continues to guide and sustain His people through life's challenging "wilderness" experiences. When facing uncertainty, hardship, or periods of spiritual dryness, this verse reminds us that God's presence and provision are constant. We can trust in His unchanging character and His mercies that are new every morning. Remembering past deliverances and God's faithfulness in our own lives strengthens our faith to face future challenges, knowing His hesed endures forever.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 8:15 (5 votes)

    Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

  • Exodus 13:18 (4 votes)

    But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 15:22 (4 votes)

    ยถ So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

  • Deuteronomy 8:2 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

  • Psalms 77:20 (3 votes)

    Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

  • Nehemiah 9:19 (2 votes)

    Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

  • Nehemiah 9:12 (2 votes)

    Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.