American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Psalm 136
1
O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
2
O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever.
3
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.
4
To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever.
5
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever.
6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever.
7
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures for ever:
8
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures for ever:
9
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever.
10
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever:
11
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever:
12
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures for ever.
13
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever:
14
And made Israel to pass through the middle of it: for his mercy endures for ever:
15
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures for ever.
16
To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever.
17
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
18
And slew famous kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
19
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever:
20
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures for ever:
21
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endures for ever:
22
Even an heritage to Israel his servant: for his mercy endures for ever.
23
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever:
24
And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures for ever.
25
Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever.
26
O give thanks to the God of heaven: for his mercy endures for ever.
Summary of Psalm 136
Psalm 136 is one of the Bible's great songs of thanksgiving. Its central message is repeated throughout the entire chapter: God's mercy endures forever. Every major statement about God is followed by this same response, creating a rhythm that would have made the psalm especially suitable for communal worship.
The chapter begins by calling people to give thanks because the LORD is good. It then describes Him as the God of gods and Lord of lords, emphasizing that His authority is greater than every other power. The psalmist wants God's people to remember that the LORD is not merely their national God but the supreme ruler over all creation.
The first major section focuses on creation. God made the heavens with wisdom, established the earth, and controls the waters. He created the great lights—the sun, moon, and stars—and gave them their roles in governing day and night. The heavenly bodies are presented as creations of God rather than gods themselves. This was particularly important in the ancient world because several surrounding cultures worshiped the sun, moon, and other heavenly objects.
The psalm then moves from creation to Israel's history. The first major historical event remembered is the Exodus. God struck the firstborn of Egypt, brought Israel out of slavery with a mighty hand, divided the Red Sea, allowed Israel to pass through it, and defeated Pharaoh's army.
The story then continues into the wilderness. God guided His people through the desert and eventually defeated powerful kings who stood in their way. The psalm specifically names Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Their defeat allowed Israel to receive the territory east of the Jordan.
The land is described as an inheritance given to Israel. This is an important part of the chapter because the writer is not simply remembering military victories. He is remembering God's faithfulness to His promises. The land represents the fulfillment of promises made to Israel's ancestors.
The psalm then moves from the nation's early history to a broader statement about God's continuing care. God remembered Israel when the nation was in a low condition and rescued it from its enemies. This suggests that God's mercy was not limited to the distant past. Whenever Israel became weak or threatened, the people could remember that God had helped them before.
The next verse expands God's care beyond Israel. The LORD gives food to all living things. God is therefore presented as both Israel's deliverer and the provider for all creation.
The chapter ends exactly where it began: with a call to give thanks because God's mercy endures forever.
The repeated phrase is the key to understanding the entire psalm. God's people are encouraged to look at creation, the Exodus, the wilderness, military victories, the promised land, national rescue, and daily provision and recognize one common truth: God's faithful love continues through every generation.
Overall, Psalm 136 is a chapter about remembering. It teaches that gratitude grows when people deliberately remember what God has done. The psalm moves from the beginning of creation to Israel's history and finally to God's continuing provision. Every part of the story points back to the same conclusion: God's mercy is greater than changing circumstances, human weakness, political powers, and the passage of time. His people are therefore called to remember His works and respond with continual thanksgiving.
The chapter begins by calling people to give thanks because the LORD is good. It then describes Him as the God of gods and Lord of lords, emphasizing that His authority is greater than every other power. The psalmist wants God's people to remember that the LORD is not merely their national God but the supreme ruler over all creation.
The first major section focuses on creation. God made the heavens with wisdom, established the earth, and controls the waters. He created the great lights—the sun, moon, and stars—and gave them their roles in governing day and night. The heavenly bodies are presented as creations of God rather than gods themselves. This was particularly important in the ancient world because several surrounding cultures worshiped the sun, moon, and other heavenly objects.
The psalm then moves from creation to Israel's history. The first major historical event remembered is the Exodus. God struck the firstborn of Egypt, brought Israel out of slavery with a mighty hand, divided the Red Sea, allowed Israel to pass through it, and defeated Pharaoh's army.
The story then continues into the wilderness. God guided His people through the desert and eventually defeated powerful kings who stood in their way. The psalm specifically names Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Their defeat allowed Israel to receive the territory east of the Jordan.
The land is described as an inheritance given to Israel. This is an important part of the chapter because the writer is not simply remembering military victories. He is remembering God's faithfulness to His promises. The land represents the fulfillment of promises made to Israel's ancestors.
The psalm then moves from the nation's early history to a broader statement about God's continuing care. God remembered Israel when the nation was in a low condition and rescued it from its enemies. This suggests that God's mercy was not limited to the distant past. Whenever Israel became weak or threatened, the people could remember that God had helped them before.
The next verse expands God's care beyond Israel. The LORD gives food to all living things. God is therefore presented as both Israel's deliverer and the provider for all creation.
The chapter ends exactly where it began: with a call to give thanks because God's mercy endures forever.
The repeated phrase is the key to understanding the entire psalm. God's people are encouraged to look at creation, the Exodus, the wilderness, military victories, the promised land, national rescue, and daily provision and recognize one common truth: God's faithful love continues through every generation.
Overall, Psalm 136 is a chapter about remembering. It teaches that gratitude grows when people deliberately remember what God has done. The psalm moves from the beginning of creation to Israel's history and finally to God's continuing provision. Every part of the story points back to the same conclusion: God's mercy is greater than changing circumstances, human weakness, political powers, and the passage of time. His people are therefore called to remember His works and respond with continual thanksgiving.