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Lyrics
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.1
Bible Commentary
1 The inspired writer calls us to render thanks to God for His goodness and mercy to man. Let us thank him that we have seen, proved, and tasted that he is good. God’s mercy or love is eternal.2
2 Assuming that the deities of the heathen were gods, yet none of them could be compared with our Elohim, who is infinitely beyond what they are fabled to be. If the heathen cultivate the worship of their gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of the God of gods--the only true and real God.2
3 There are lords many, but Jehovah is the Lord of them. He is more
lordly than all emperors and kings condensed into one.
For this we may well be thankful, for we know the superior Sovereign
will rectify the abuses of the underlings who now lord it over
mankind. He will call these lords to his bar, and
reckon with them for every oppression and injustice.2
4 God is the unrivalled miracle worker. Only a Being of infinite intelligence could have designed the universe with its indescribable wonders.3
5 What wisdom lies hidden in the secrets of the universe God has made! Scientific discoveries continually reveal more and more of the marvels of His creation. Design is seen in every department of nature.3
6 By His strength God sets fast the mountains and consolidates the habitable land upon which we sojourn, so that no deluge drowns the race. Who but the Lord could have wrought this marvel?2 |
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7 What could men have done without light? Though they had the heavens above them, and dry land to move upon, yet what could they see, and where could they go without light? In great mercy God concentrated light upon two grand luminaries, the sun and moon.2
8 The influences of the sun are too many for us to enumerate them all, but untold benefits come to all orders of beings by its light, warmth, and other operations. Whenever we sit in the sunshine, our gratitude should be kindled.2
9 No hour of the day is left without rule. When we look up to
the sky at night and see the lamps of heaven, we are reminded of God’s great love to us. The moon gladdens the heart, and the twinkling stars seem to speak messages of comfort.3
10 The final plague by which the Egyptians were smitten in their firstborn resulted in the deliverance of Israel from their oppressors. Their exodus from Egypt led to the creation of God’s favoured nation.2
11 Pharaoh and his slave masters were determined not to let the children of Israel go from their servitude in Egypt. However, when the Lord plans and promises to release His people and His people cooperate, there is no power in earth or hell that can withstand Him. When the proud monarch defies Him and refuses to cooperate he does so to his own destruction.3
12 In the Exodus the great power and glory of Jehovah were seen. He dashed in pieces the enemy with his right hand. He led forth his people in no mean or clandestine manner. "He brought them forth also with silver and gold, and there was not one feeble person in all their tribes."2
13 The Lord made a road across the sea bottom, causing the divided waters to stand like walls on either side. He who causes the waters of the sea ordinarily to remain as one mass can with equal readiness divide them.2
14 The Lord gave the people courage to follow the predestined track through the yawning abyss, which might well have terrified a veteran host. He led them down into the deep and up again on the further shore in perfect order, keeping their enemies back by the thick darkness of the cloudy pillar.2
15 The enemy in his fury drove after Israel into the sea, but his wrath found a terrible recompense beneath the waves. The chariots were thrown over, the horses were overthrown. Broken was the power and conquered was the pride of Egypt. Jehovah had vanquished the enemy.2
16 Throughout the wilderness journeying the Lord was the Provider and Leader of His people. He guided Israel by the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. He provided them with water and sent food from heaven to them. For forty years their feet did not swell, neither did their garments wax old in all the journey.2,3
17 Within sight of their inheritance Israel had to face powerful enemies, kings judged to be great. However He who had subdued the really mighty ruler of Egypt made short work of these petty sovereigns, great though they were in the esteem of neighbouring princes.2
18 What good was their fame to them? As they opposed God they became
infamous rather than famous. Their deaths made the Lord's fame to increase among the nations while their fame ended in disgraceful defeat.2
19 Sihon smote Moab, but he could not smite Israel, for the Lord smote him. He was valiant and powerful, so as to be both great and famous; but as he wilfully refused to give a peaceful passage to the Israelites, and fought against them in malice, there was no choice for it but to let him run into that destruction which he courted. His fall was speedy and final, and the chosen people were so struck with it that they sung of his overthrow in their national songs.2
20 When the Lord's people were called upon to fight against Og king of Bashan, of the race of the giants, it was God who won the victory.
Og had to exchange his bedstead of iron for a bed in the dust, for he fell on the battle field.2
21 The land of Canaan did not become the property of the Israelites by their own sword and bow, but was given by a grant from God. He had promised to Abraham that his seed would inherit this country.2 |
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22 The lands of the heathen kings were given to Israel, and subdivided into lots such that every family had a plot of ground for cultivation. The laws by which the portions of ground were reserved to the owners and their descendants for a perpetual inheritance were fit subjects for song.2
23 Israel was brought unto a low estate of bondage and slavery in Egypt, but the Lord did not forget them in their distress. To all who have fallen low in sorrow, in sickness, or in sin, how comforting it is to know that the Lord does not forget, but sends help and deliverance.3
24 Israel's enemies brought the people low; but the Lord intervened, and turned the tables by a great redemption. The expression implies that they had become like slaves, and were not set free without price and power; for they needed to be "redeemed."2
25 The universal goodness of God in feeding all his creatures is as worthy of praise as his special favours to the elect nation. Because the Lord feeds all life therefore we expect him to take special care of his own family.2
26 The Lord is God in the highest realms, and among celestial beings. His throne is set in glory, above all, and out of reach of foes. He who feeds ravens and sparrows is yet the glorious God of the highest realms. Angels count it their glory to proclaim his glory in every heavenly street.
2
References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. Charles
H. Spurgeon, "The Treasury of David" - http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries
3. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 3 pgs. 861-862
4. Charles H. Spurgeon, "The Treasury of David "
quoting John Gill -
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries
5. Living Word Bible Church - Five
Books of Psalms - http://www.lwbc.co.uk/5_books_of_psalms.htm
6.
Easton Bible Dictionary -
www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/David
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 About
Psalm 136 |
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BIBLE AUTHOR |
| This Psalm
was very probably composed by David.4 |
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Music
Composed |
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The music was composed in 1981 |
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Music
for Psalm 136 |
 An
audio clip for Psalm 136 is currently unavailable however we
do provide a
record for you service. This song
may be recorded in a future
Psalms album.
Click on image to listen to other songs from the
Bible in Song collection. |
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Quotes
on
Psalm 136 |
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The Bible Quotes
pages provide counsel,
direction, encouragement and help from God's word to life's
questions.
These pages include Bible Quotes & Promises, Inspirational Quotations
and audio clips. Psalm 136 features in: |
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THE GREAT HALLEL |
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Psalm 136 is
generally called "the great hallel" which was
sung at the three great feasts, at the new moon, and on the
eight days of the feast of dedication. It is presumed that
these several collections were made at times of high
religious life: the first, probably, near the close of
David's life; the second in the days of Solomon in singing at the dedication of the
Temple (2Chron. 7:3-6); third, the armies of Jehoshaphat sang
themselves into victory with this song in the wilderness of
Tekoa (2Chron. 20:19,21); the fourth by the
men of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29,30,31); and the fifth in the
days of Ezra." 2,6 |
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POPULAR HYMN OF ISRAELITES |
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From the striking form of it we
should infer that it was a popular hymn among the Lord's
ancient people. Most hymns with a solid, simple chorus
become favourites with congregations, and this is sure to
have been one of the best beloved. It contains nothing but
praise. It is tuned to rapture, and can only be fully
enjoyed by a devoutly grateful heart.2 |
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Song Structure of Psalm 136 |
This psalm is a
continued exhortation to praise the Lord for the perpetual
displays of his mercy.
Verses 1-4 commence with a threefold praise to God
Verses 5-9 give praise to the creator of all things
Verses 10-15 tell of the deliverance from Egypt and escape
through the Red sea
Verses 16-22 praise God for his leading through the
wilderness, for casting out nations, and giving them
possession of Canaan
Verses 23-24 praise God for being a gracious and
condescending Redeemer
Verse 25 praises God for his universal providence
Verse 26 is a closing verse to excite to never ending
praise.2 |
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Psalms - Book V: Chs.
107-150 |
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This section contains 44 Psalms. 15 are
ascribed to David and one to Solomon (127th). These Psalms
praise God for His word. Thanksgiving is the major theme of
this book. God wants the most perfect sacrifice of all, our
faithfulness and obedience to His revealed will. This is
similar to the book of Deuteronomy since it speaks of a new
beginning in the Promised Land. These Psalms express the
thoughts, prayers, and experiences of the captives and their
return to Jerusalem. ‘Jehovah’ is used as the divine name in
this last section of the Psalms. Psalm 107 is the
introduction to the section. It acknowledges the delivering
power of God. The doxology is found in Psalm 150 but really
should include Psalms 145-150. They thank God in every
possible way for His goodness towards His people. Hallelujah
ends this final section as a note of joyfulness and
gladness.5 |
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DAVID ANOINTED
KING |
| Upon Saul's
death, David went to Hebron where he was anointed as king of
Judah, according to The Lord's instructions, at about age 30
(2 Samuel 2:1-4). A seven and a half year civil war followed
between the forces that supported David, and those that
supported Ish-bosheth, Saul's only surviving son, for the
kingship of all Israel. The military and political situation
grew steadily in favor of David however, and when
Ish-bosheth was assassinated, David was anointed king over
all Israel (2 Samuel 4:1-12, 5:1-5). David then moved his
capital from Hebron to Jebus, an earlier name for Jerusalem,
after capturing the city from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:6-7
NIV).6 |
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ARK OF THE
COVENANT |
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David then
brought the Ark of the Covenant to the new capital city of
Jerusalem (2 Samuel chapter 6) from the house of Abinadab (2
Samuel 6:3) at Kirjath-jearim, about 7 miles / 11 kilometers
from Jerusalem, where it had been for many years. It was
during this movement that The Lord put Uzzah to death for
touching The Ark (only the Levites were permitted to touch
it). David then became afraid to have The Ark in the City of
David, so he left it in the house of Obed-Edom, a Philistine
from Gath (2 Samuel 6:9-11). Three months later, David
brought The Ark to Jerusalem where it was placed in a new
tabernacle that David set up for it. At about this
time David composed Psalm 24.6 |
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Territorial
gains for Israel |
| David's rise to
greatness was characterized by great territorial gains for
Israel (2 Samuel 8:1-14). Within a relatively short period
of time, he ruled from the Nile river in Egypt to the
Euphrates River in the Tigris-Euphrates valley (2 Samuel
8:3-13).6 |
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Short
Biography of David - Part 4 |
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