King James Version
Psalms 136
26 verses with commentary
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good</strong>—The psalm opens with a liturgical call to corporate worship. The Hebrew טוֹב (<em>tov</em>) means not merely moral goodness but comprehensive excellence, beauty, and beneficence. This is Yahweh's essential character, not a temporary mood.<br><br><strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki l'olam chasd...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
"O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever." This verse employs a Hebrew title <em>Elohei ha'elohim</em> (God of gods), asserting YHWH's supreme deity over all so-called gods. <em>Elohim</em> can refer to the true God or false gods/idols; <em>Elohei ha'elohim</em> declares Him God above all divine claimants. This confronts ancient polytheism—while nations worshiped many d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2, 3) **God of gods . . . Lord of Lords.—**From Deuteronomy 10:17.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
"O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever." The title <em>Adonei ha'adonim</em> (Lord of lords) parallels verse 2's "God of gods," asserting YHWH's sovereignty over all earthly rulers. <em>Adon</em> means master, lord, sovereign—referring to human rulers or divine beings. <em>Adonei ha'adonim</em> declares Him supreme sovereign over all authorities. This connects to De...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
"To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever." The phrase <em>l'oseh nifla'ot gedolot levado</em> (to the one doing great wonders alone) emphasizes divine uniqueness and exclusivity. <em>Niflaot</em> (wonders/marvels) describes extraordinary acts beyond natural causation. <em>Gedolot</em> (great) indicates magnitude. <em>Levado</em> (alone/by Himself) stresses that YHWH a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.</strong> This verse begins the psalm's creation section, celebrating God as wise Creator. <strong>"By wisdom"</strong> (בִּתְבוּנָה/<em>bitvunah</em>) emphasizes intelligent design—creation wasn't random chaos but ordered purpose. <em>Tevunah</em> denotes understanding, insight, discernment. The heavens display sophis...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **By wisdom.**—From Psalm 104:24, Proverbs 3:19, or Jeremiah 10:12.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.</strong> The psalmist moves from heavens to earth, celebrating God's formation of habitable land. <strong>"Stretched out the earth"</strong> (לְרֹקַע הָאָרֶץ/<em>leroqa ha'arets</em>) uses רָקַע (<em>raqa</em>), to spread out, stamp, or stretch like hammering metal into a sheet. This recalls Genesis 1:9 ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) While this section in many points recalls the account of creation in Genesis, it employs terms from other parts of Scripture.
**Stretched out.—**A word and idea peculiar to Isaiah and this psalm (Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24); properly to beat out with the feet, then to overlay with a plate of metal (Isaiah 40:12). The earth is regarded as a flat plate that has been beaten out and spread on the f...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:</strong> The creation account continues with celestial luminaries, sun and moon, serving humanity. <strong>"Made great lights"</strong> (לְעֹשֵׂה אוֹרִים גְּדֹלִים/<em>le'oseh orim gedolim</em>) celebrates God's formation of sun and moon (Genesis 1:14-18). These "great lights" (אוֹרִים גְּדֹלִים/<em>orim gedolim</em>) governed...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Lights.**—An unusual word, meaning *light *itself, and not *luminaries. *But possibly the poet wished in one phrase to combine Genesis 1:3; Genesis 1:14-15.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: to rule: Heb. for the rulings by day
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Creation's Luminaries and Eternal Mercy</strong><br><br>This verse celebrates God's establishment of the sun as the greater light to govern the day, with the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" (<em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). The Hebrew word <em>chased</em> (חֶסֶד) encompasses loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and steadfast mercy—God's unwavering commitment to His people. The phrase <...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever....</strong>—Moon and stars for night - creation order testifies to God's faithfulness. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (stea...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for...</strong>—Smote Egypt's firstborn - exodus liberation through judgment. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covena...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **For his mercy.—**Here the refrain, after the mention of the destruction of the Egyptian first-born, and subsequently after that of war and slaughter, sounds harsh to Christian ears. But the word mercy (*khesed*) in the Hebrew motto implies distinctly *covenant grace, *that special favour of Jehovah in which the heathen did not share, and which was often most signally shown in their destruct...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for eve...</strong>—Brought Israel out - deliverance from bondage. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endure...</strong>—Strong hand, outstretched arm - divine power in salvation. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth fo...</strong>—Divided Red Sea - impossible obstacle overcome. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
35. Those who refuse such a protector and withhold such a service mar the beauty of His works, and must perish from His presence.
**Praise ye the Lord--**The Psalm closes with an invocation of praise, the translation of a Hebrew phrase, which is used as an English word, "Hallelujah," and may have served the purpose of a chorus, as often in our psalmody, or to give fuller expression to the writer...
Read full commentary →And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy enduret...</strong>—Israel passed through - safe passage through danger. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love)....
Read full commentary →But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. overthrew: Heb. shaked off
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endur...</strong>—Pharaoh's army overthrown - complete victory. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The ps...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 105 Psa 105:1-45. After an exhortation to praise God, addressed especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special reason for praise, in a summary of their history from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and reminds them that their obedience was the end of all God's gracious dealings.
**1. call ... name--**(Psa 79:6; Ro 10:13). Call on Him, according to His ...
Read full commentary →To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endu...</strong>—Led through wilderness - 40 years faithful guidance. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love)....
Read full commentary →To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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<strong>To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Smote great kings - conquest victories. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teaches ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3-4. Seeking God's favor is the only true mode of getting true happiness, and His strength [Psa 105:4] is the only true source of protection (compare Psa 32:11; 40:16).
**Glory ... name--**boast in His perfections. The world glories in its horses and chariots against the Church of God lying in the dust; but our hope is in the name, that is, the power and love of God to His people, manifested in ...
Read full commentary →And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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<strong>And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Slew mighty kings - defeating powerful enemies. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teaches t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3-4. Seeking God's favor is the only true mode of getting true happiness, and His strength [Psa 105:4] is the only true source of protection (compare Psa 32:11; 40:16).
**Glory ... name--**boast in His perfections. The world glories in its horses and chariots against the Church of God lying in the dust; but our hope is in the name, that is, the power and love of God to His people, manifested in ...
Read full commentary →Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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<strong>Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Sihon king Amorites - first conquest. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teaches that r...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Sihon.**—Literally, *to Sihon. *Evidently the composer, after beginning so many verses with the preposition, placed it here inadvertently, whence it was copied in Psalm 135:11.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5-6. judgments ... mouth--**His judicial decisions for the good and against the wicked.
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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<strong>And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Og king Bashan - defeating giants. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teaches that recou...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5-6. judgments ... mouth--**His judicial decisions for the good and against the wicked.
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Gave land for heritage - fulfilling promises. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. Rather, "He, Jehovah, is our God." His title, "Jehovah," implies that He, the unchangeable, self-existing Being, makes things to be, that is, fulfils His promises, and therefore will not forsake His people. Though specially of His people, He is God over all.
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for e...</strong>—Heritage to Israel - covenant possession. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. The covenant was often ratified.
**word--**answering to "covenant" [Psa 105:9] in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according to Psa 105:10, He set forth for an inviolable law.
**commanded--**or, "ordained" (Psa 68:28).
**to a thousand generations--**perpetually. A verbal allusion to De 7:9 (compare Ex 20:6).
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:...</strong>—Remembered in low estate - God's attention to afflicted. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant lov...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. The covenant was often ratified.
**word--**answering to "covenant" [Psa 105:9] in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according to Psa 105:10, He set forth for an inviolable law.
**commanded--**or, "ordained" (Psa 68:28).
**to a thousand generations--**perpetually. A verbal allusion to De 7:9 (compare Ex 20:6).
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever...</strong>—Redeemed from enemies - forcible deliverance. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The ps...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Redeemed.**—Better, as in original, *snatched us from. *(Comp. Psalm 7:2, used of a lion suddenly seizing his prey.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. The covenant was often ratified.
**word--**answering to "covenant" [Psa 105:9] in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according to Psa 105:10, He set forth for an inviolable law.
**commanded--**or, "ordained" (Psa 68:28).
**to a thousand generations--**perpetually. A verbal allusion to De 7:9 (compare Ex 20:6).
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever....</strong>—Gives food to all flesh - universal providence. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm te...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **All flesh.**—Here apparently the word *mercy *takes a wider image and applies to all men. But only apparently so. Israel could think of Jehovah providing for the bodily wants of all as He was the creator of all, but the covenant grace was for them alone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. The covenant was often ratified.
**word--**answering to "covenant" [Psa 105:9] in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according to Psa 105:10, He set forth for an inviolable law.
**commanded--**or, "ordained" (Psa 68:28).
**to a thousand generations--**perpetually. A verbal allusion to De 7:9 (compare Ex 20:6).
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever....</strong>—God of heaven - sovereign over all. <strong>For his mercy endureth for ever</strong> (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, <em>ki le-olam chasdo</em>). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal <em>chesed</em> (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teache...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **God of heaven.**—See Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:4. This title, though implied in Psalm 11:4 and similar passages, was not used before the exile. Away from Zion and the visible token of the Divine presence, the hearts of the faithful began more and more to dream of their God as
“One that His mansion hath on high
Above the reach of mortal eye.”
At the end the Vulgate repeats Psalm 136:3. (See P...
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**12-15. few ... in number--**alluding to Jacob's words (Ge 34:30), "I being few in number."
**yea, very few--**literally, "as a few," that is, like fewness itself (compare Is 1:9).
**strangers--**sojourners in the land of their future inheritance, as in a strange country (He 11:9).