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.
Psalm 136, often referred to as the 'Great Hallel', is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God, extolling His infinite and enduring mercy. This psalm serves as a litany, enumerating God's great acts of creation, deliverance, and providence, and repeatedly affirming His steadfast love. The psalm is unique in its structure, with each of its twenty-six verses following a consistent pattern: a statement about God's acts or attributes, followed by the refrain, "for His mercy endureth forever".
The psalm begins with calls to gratitude, urging the reader to give thanks to the Lord, the God of gods, and the Lord of lords. This sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, establishing God's supreme authority and dominion over all things. The repeated refrain of "for His mercy endureth forever" serves to underscore the permanence and dependability of God's love and mercy for His people.
The first section of the psalm (verses 4-9) recounts God's acts of creation, praising Him as the maker of the heavens, the earth, and the celestial bodies. The psalmist uses vivid, poetic language to describe God's creation of the world, portraying Him as a divine artisan who, with wisdom and skill, fashioned the universe. The repeated refrain, "for His mercy endureth forever" in these verses, emphasizes that God's act of creation was a manifestation of His enduring mercy and love.
The second section (verses 10-22) commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and their subsequent journey to the Promised Land. The psalmist recalls the miracles God performed, such as the smiting of the Egyptian firstborn and the parting of the Red Sea, highlighting God's power and His commitment to liberating His people from bondage. The psalmist also mentions the defeat of famous kings, Sihon and Og, underscoring God's protective love for His people.
The final section (verses 23-26) speaks of God's providence, His provision for all living creatures, and His deliverance of His people in times of distress. The psalmist affirms God's constant care and concern for His creation, emphasizing His mercy and steadfast love that endures forever. The psalm concludes with a final call to give thanks to the God of heaven, reinforcing the theme of gratitude that permeates the entire psalm.
Psalm 136 serves as a profound reminder of God's unchanging love and mercy that endures forever. It encourages the reader to reflect on the many ways God has manifested His love, from the grandeur of creation to the specific acts of deliverance for the Israelites. The psalm underscores the importance of gratitude, urging the reader to continually give thanks to God for His enduring mercy and love.
The repeated refrain, "for His mercy endureth forever", serves as a powerful affirmation of God's enduring love. It is a reminder that God's mercy is not a fleeting or temporary attribute but a fundamental and unchanging aspect of His nature. It reassures the reader that God's love is steadfast, dependable, and unchanging, regardless of human failings or circumstances.
The psalm's emphasis on God's acts of creation, deliverance, and providence also highlights the active and personal nature of God's love. It underscores the idea that God's love is not a passive or abstract concept but a dynamic force that actively shapes the world and intervenes in human history. It also affirms that God's love is not just a general benevolence towards all creation but a specific, personal love for His people.
In summary, Psalm 136 is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving that celebrates God's enduring mercy and love. It invites the reader to reflect on the many manifestations of God's love, from the grandeur of the universe to the specific acts of deliverance and providence in human history. It encourages an attitude of gratitude, reminding the reader of the importance of continually giving thanks to God for His enduring mercy and love. It is a powerful affirmation of God's unchanging love, a love that is steadfast, active, and personal, a love that endures forever.
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