Psalms Chapter 136

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he [is] good, etc.] In himself, and to all his creatures; and especially to his chosen people, who therefore should give thanks to him daily in the name of Christ, for all blessings temporal and spiritual, in faith and fervency, and in the sincerity of their souls, with their whole heart; for his mercy [endureth] for ever; it is the same with his love, which is from everlasting to everlasting; and continues notwithstanding the sins of his people, the hidings of his face from them, and his chastisements of them; the covenant which is founded on mercy, and all the blessings of it,…”

“David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness. (Psa 138:1-8) I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare Psa 9:1). before the gods--whether angels (Psa 8:5); or princes (Exo 21:6; Psa 82:6); or idols (Psa 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.”

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good - This whole verse is the same as Psalms 106:1, except that that is introduced by a Hallelujah. See the notes at that verse. For his mercy endureth for ever - See also Psalms 106:1, note; Psalms 107:1, note. Literally, “For unto eternity his mercy.” That is, It is ever the same; it never changes; it is never exhausted; it is found in all his dealings - in all his acts toward his creatures, and ever will be. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The God of gods - Who is infinitely superior to all that are called gods, whether angels, or princes, or idols. Psalms 136:22”

“Ps 136 This is the last of the Great Hallel psalms (Pss 120–136). It distinctively repeats the refrain His faithful love endures forever in every verse. The hymn is framed by a call to praise (136:1-3, 26). It proclaims the Lord as the Creator of all and the Redeemer of Israel, both in the distant (136:10-22) and in the recent past (136:23-24). 136:1-3 The psalmist invites the community to praise the Lord, who is good and full of love, the true Lord of humanity. Verse 1 alludes to the poetic expression in 2 Chr 5:13.”

“(Title), This Psalm is little else than a repetition of the preceding, with the addition of the burden, "for his mercy endureth for ever," at the end of each verse; and it was doubtless composed on the same occasion. It seems evidently to have been a responsive song; the first part of the verse being probably sung by the Levites, and the burden by the people. Give thanks: Psa 105:1, Psa 106:1, Psa 107:1, Psa 118:1, Psa 119:68; Ch2 7:3, Ch2 7:6; Ezr 3:11; Jer 33:11 for his mercy: Psa 103:17; Ch1 16:34, Ch1 16:41; Ch2 20:21; Luk 1:50; Jde 1:21 Psalms 136:2”

“Like the preceding Psalm, this Psalm allies itself to the Book of Deuteronomy. Psa 136:2 and Psa 136:3 (God of gods and Lord of lords) are taken from Deu 10:17; Psa 136:12 (with a strong hand and stretched-out arm) from Deu 4:34; Deu 5:15, and frequently (cf. Jer 32:21); Psa 136:16 like Deu 8:15 (cf. Jer 2:6). With reference to the Deuteronomic colouring of Psa 136:19-22, vid., on Psa 135:10-12; also the expression "Israel His servant" recalls Deu 32:36 (cf. Psa 135:14; Psa 90:13), and still more Isa 40:1, where the comprehension of Israel under the unity of this notion has its own proper place. In other…”