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Psalms 136

BSB·26 verses ·Old Testament
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1Give thanksהוֹד֣וּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He is goodט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 2Give thanksה֭וֹדוּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the Godלֵֽאלֹהֵ֣יlê·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of godsהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 3Give thanksה֭וֹדוּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the Lordלַאֲדֹנֵ֣יla·’ă·ḏō·nê — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → of lordsהָאֲדֹנִ֑יםhā·’ă·ḏō·nîm — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 4He aloneלְבַדּ֑וֹlə·ḇad·dōw — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study → doesלְעֹ֘שֵׂ֤הlə·‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → greatגְּדֹל֣וֹתgə·ḏō·lō·wṯ — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → wondersנִפְלָא֣וֹתnip̄·lā·’ō·wṯ — to be wonderful, perform miracles, do marvelous thingsH6381 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 5By His insightבִּתְבוּנָ֑הbiṯ·ḇū·nāh — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study → He madeלְעֹשֵׂ֣הlə·‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the heavensהַ֭שָּׁמַיִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 6He spread outלְרֹקַ֣עlə·rō·qa‘ — to beat thin; to spread out; to expandH7554 — Full Word Study → the earthהָ֭אָרֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → uponעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the watersהַמָּ֑יִםham·mā·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 7He madeלְ֭עֹשֵׂהlə·‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the greatגְּדֹלִ֑יםgə·ḏō·lîm — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → lightsאוֹרִ֣ים’ō·w·rîm — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study →His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 8the sunהַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → to ruleלְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶתlə·mem·še·leṯ — Dominion, rule, or sovereignty exercised over othersH4475 — Full Word Study → the dayבַּיּ֑וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 9the moonהַיָּרֵ֣חַhay·yā·rê·aḥ — The moon; lunar bodyH3394 — Full Word Study → and starsוְ֭כוֹכָבִיםwə·ḵō·w·ḵā·ḇîm — Star; heavenly bodyH3556 — Full Word Study → to governלְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹתlə·mem·šə·lō·wṯ — Dominion, rule, or sovereignty exercised over othersH4475 — Full Word Study → the nightבַּלָּ֑יְלָהbal·lā·yə·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 10He struck downלְמַכֵּ֣הlə·mak·kêh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the firstbornבִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑םbiḇ·ḵō·w·rê·hem — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → of Egyptמִ֭צְרַיִםmiṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 11and brought Israelיִ֭שְׂרָאֵלyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → outוַיּוֹצֵ֣אway·yō·w·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → from among themמִתּוֹכָ֑םmit·tō·w·ḵām — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 12with a mightyחֲ֭זָקָהḥă·zā·qāh — Strong, mighty, firm, courageousH2389 — Full Word Study → handבְּיָ֣דbə·yāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → and an outstretchedנְטוּיָ֑הnə·ṭū·yāh — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → armוּבִזְר֣וֹעַū·ḇiz·rō·w·a‘ — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 13He dividedלְגֹזֵ֣רlə·ḡō·zêr — To cut; to decree or determineH1504 — Full Word Study → the Redס֭וּףsūp̄ — Red Sea; seaweed, aquatic plantsH5488 — Full Word Study → Seaיַם־yam- — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → in twoלִגְזָרִ֑יםliḡ·zā·rîm — a piece, portion, or part of somethingH1506 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 14and ledוְהֶעֱבִ֣ירwə·he·‘ĕ·ḇîr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֣לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → through the midstבְּתוֹכ֑וֹbə·ṯō·w·ḵōw — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →, His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 15but sweptוְנִ֘עֵ֤רwə·ni·‘êr — To shake, tremble, or cast offH5287 — Full Word Study → Pharaohפַּרְעֹ֣הpar·‘ōh — Egyptian rulerH6547 — Full Word Study → and his armyוְחֵיל֣וֹwə·ḥê·lōw — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study → into the Redס֑וּףsūp̄ — Red Sea; seaweed, aquatic plantsH5488 — Full Word Study → Seaבְיַם־ḇə·yam- — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 16He ledלְמוֹלִ֣יךְlə·mō·w·lîḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַ֭מּוֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → through the wildernessבַּמִּדְבָּ֑רbam·miḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 17He struck downלְ֭מַכֵּהlə·mak·kêh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → greatגְּדֹלִ֑יםgə·ḏō·lîm — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → kingsמְלָכִ֣יםmə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 18and slaughteredוַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹגway·ya·hă·rōḡ — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → mightyאַדִּירִ֑ים’ad·dî·rîm — Mighty, noble, excellent, worthy of honorH117 — Full Word Study → kingsמְלָכִ֣יםmə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 19Sihonלְ֭סִיחוֹןlə·sî·ḥō·wn — King of the AmoritesH5511 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of the Amoritesהָאֱמֹרִ֑יhā·’ĕ·mō·rî — Canaanite peoplesH567 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 20and Ogוּ֭לְעוֹגū·lə·‘ō·wḡ — Og of BashanH5747 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Bashanהַבָּשָׁ֑ןhab·bā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study →His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 21and He gaveוְנָתַ֣ןwə·nā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → their landאַרְצָ֣ם’ar·ṣām — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → as an inheritanceלְנַחֲלָ֑הlə·na·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →, His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 22a heritageנַ֭חֲלָהna·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study → to His servantעַבְדּ֑וֹ‘aḇ·dōw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → Israelלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣לlə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 23He rememberedזָ֣כַרzā·ḵar — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → us in our low estateשֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּbə·šip̄·lê·nū — low estate, poverty, humble conditionH8216 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 24and freed usוַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּway·yip̄·rə·qê·nū — to tear apart, rend, break offH6561 — Full Word Study → from our enemiesמִצָּרֵ֑ינוּmiṣ·ṣā·rê·nū — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 25He givesנֹתֵ֣ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → foodלֶ֭חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → to everyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → creatureבָּשָׂ֑רbā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →. His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 26Give thanksה֭וֹדוּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the Godלְאֵ֣לlə·’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → of heavenהַשָּׁמָ֑יִםhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →! His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 136
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 136 is a magnificent song of thanksgiving that celebrates God's eternal mercy and His mighty acts throughout Israel's history. The psalm follows a responsive liturgical pattern—each line of praise is met with the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever"—creating a powerful rhythm of affirmation and remembrance. From creation to redemption, from the plagues of Egypt to the conquest of Canaan, this psalm invites God's people to recall His faithfulness and to recognize that His loving-kindness has no end. It stands as a model of corporate worship that acknowledges both God's majesty and His intimate care for His covenant people.

Verses 1-3: A Call to Thanksgiving

The psalm opens with an urgent summons to give thanks to the Lord. Notice the threefold address: "the LORD," "the God of gods," and "the Lord of lords." These titles emphasize God's supreme authority and incomparable nature—He stands infinitely above all powers and authorities. The reason for thanksgiving is stated plainly: His goodness is absolute and His mercy is eternal. The repeated refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" becomes the heartbeat of this entire psalm, anchoring every statement in the unchanging character of God. This opening invites us to shift our focus from our circumstances to His character.

Verses 4-9: God's Creative Power

The psalmist now celebrates God as the sole creator of wonders. He alone worked the marvels of creation—it was not achieved through committee or competition, but through His singular, divine power. The text specifically highlights God's wisdom in making the heavens (verse 5) and His power in establishing the earth above the waters (verse 6). The great lights—sun, moon, and stars—are not gods to be worshipped, but servants fulfilling their appointed roles in God's creation. This section reminds us that every aspect of creation testifies to God's glory and reflects His purposeful design. When we observe the natural world, we are encountering God's handiwork.

Verses 10-15: The Exodus and Red Sea Deliverance

The psalm shifts to recount God's redemptive acts in history, beginning with the ten plagues and the deliverance from Egypt. God smote the firstborn of Egypt (verse 10), demonstrating His power over the false gods of that land. He brought Israel out with a strong hand and stretched-out arm (verse 12)—language emphasizing God's personal, powerful intervention. The division of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's army (verses 13-15) represent the climactic moment of salvation. These historical events were not accidents of nature but divine acts of judgment and mercy, showing that God fights for His people.

Verses 16-22: Wilderness Leadership and Conquest

God led Israel through the wilderness (verse 16) and defeated the kings who opposed their entry into Canaan—including Sihon and Og (verses 17-20). The land was given as an inheritance to Israel, God's servant (verse 21). This section teaches that God's care extends not only to great miraculous moments but also through long seasons of testing and provision. He remains faithful through wandering and struggle, and He fulfills His promises to bring His people into blessing.

Verses 23-26: Present Care and Ongoing Gratitude

The psalm concludes by acknowledging God's present mercy: He remembers His people in their low estate (verse 23) and redeems them from enemies (verse 24). He provides food for all living things (verse 25). The final verse returns to the opening summons, calling all creation to thank the God of heaven. This closing emphasis reminds us that God's mercy is not merely historical—it is active and sustaining today.

Application for Today

Psalm 136 invites us to develop a habit of remembrance and thanksgiving. Like Israel recounting God's faithfulness in the exodus, we should regularly recall how God has acted in our own lives. When we face uncertainty or difficulty, we can anchor ourselves in the truth that God's mercy truly endures forever—it cannot be exhausted, withdrawn, or overcome. Join the psalmist in giving thanks, not just for dramatic interventions, but for the daily provision, guidance, and protection that flow from our eternal God.

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