Lux Domini

Psalms 136

Chapter context

What is happening in Psalms 136?

prayerpraiselamentkingship

Psalms 136 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Book V. Psalms is the Bible’s great book of sung prayer, teaching the full range of faithful speech from anguish and repentance to jubilation and doxology. Read this chapter with the wider themes of prayer, praise, and lament in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

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.  

Study helps

Glossary

Egypt Place v. 10-11

The land of the Nile and the pyramids, the oldest kingdom of which we have any record, holds a place of great significance in Scripture. Modern identification: Ain Shams.

Red Sea Place v. 13, 15

Biblical body of water. Modern identification: Gulf of Suez.

Amorites People v. 19

Highlanders, or hillmen, the name given to the descendants of one of the sons of Canaan ( Gen. 14:7 ), called Amurra or Amurri in the Assyrian and Egyptian inscriptions.

Bashan Place v. 20

Biblical region. Modern identification: Saham al Jawlan.