The Book of Psalms
Psalm 136
Psalm CXXXVI · Vol. II, pp. 1073–1074
An exhortation to give thanks to God for his mercies particularly enumerated.
1 O give athanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.1
B.C. cir. 1045.
a Ps.106.1; 107.1; 118.1; 119.68. 1 Ch.16.34,41. 2 Ch.7.3,6; 20.21. Ep.5.20. Col.3.17.
1 This psalm was manifestly designed to be sung in the public service of the sanctuary, most probably on the occasion of one or other of the great national festivals. It is so constructed that the leader makes his short statement, embodying an act of divine power or mercy, and then the whole choir bursts forth into the grand chorus of praise—'For his mercy is for ever.'—P.
6 Tog him that stretched out the earth 3above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
g Ge.1.9, &c. Je.10.12. Job 6.7. Ps.24.2; 104.3,5.
3 That is, God raised the earth above the seas, as the mountains rise above the hills, and the hills above the valleys—an arrangement from which are derived not merely the protection of the land from the overflow of the waters, but all the advantages of springs, rivers, &c.—C.
7 Toh him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
h Ge.1.14-16. De.4.19. Ps.104.19. Je.31.35.
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 Toi him that smote Egypt in their first-born:5 for his mercy endureth for ever:
i Ex.12.29. Ps.135.8, &c.; 78.51; 105.36.
5 Wherein lay the mercy of smiting the first-born of Egypt? To the Egyptians the stroke was no doubt in one point of view a heavy judgment: yet even to them it was in another view mercy; for it was a lesson teaching them repentance. To Israel it was altogether mercy, for it compelled their tyrannical taskmasters to liberate them from bondage.—C.
11 Andj brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
j Ex.13.3,9,17; 12.51; 6.6; 15.6,16. Je.32.21. De.11.3,4. Jos.24.5-7. 1 Sa.12.6,8. Ne.9.10,11. Is.51.9,10. Ac.7.36.
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 Tok him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
k Ex.14.21,22. Ps.74.13; 78.13; 66.4,5. Is.63.12,13. He.11.29.
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
16 Ton him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
n Ex.13.18; 15.22. De.8.2,15. Ne.9.12,19. Ps.78.53,54; 77.20. Is.65.11-14; 48.21.
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Whot giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
t Ps.104.27; 145.15,16; 147.9; 111.5. Mat.6.11,26. Ac.14.16,17.
Notes
Ver. 1. 'For his tender mercy is to the coming age;' which includes not merely the history of mercy in past deliverances and present blessings, but the (then) future mercies in the expected coming of Messiah, and the (now) future mercies and glories of his coming again 'the second time without sin to salvation.' C.
Ver. 4. Great wonders. Miracles, as in Egypt—at the Red Sea—and in the wilderness, where he fed his people with bread from heaven. C.
Ver. 25. When the extent of animal life is examined, and the amount of food for its support calculated—and when the living God, not unintelligent nature, is considered as the giver both of life and food, then will this verse suggest a most prolific source of praise. But when the sight is carried beyond the 'bread that perisheth,' to that which 'endures to eternal life; and when Jesus is seen to be that 'Bread that cometh down from heaven,' how much more wonderful then the number and necessities of the claimants, and how much more wonderful the grace of the Provider! C.
Reflections.—Alas! how averse are mankind to the infinitely reasonable and delightful duty of praise and thanksgiving! They need repeated calls to it, even after it has been attended with remarkable blessings. God's mercy and goodness delightfully fill his nature and works, the most awful and tremendous not excepted. And stupid and careless observers must they be of creatures and events, who do not everywhere perceive the manifold and everlasting mercy and kindness of God. Past mercies ought never to be forgotten, nor present ones overlooked; and all should issue in repeated returns of grateful praise