Unknown
Psalm 136
Scripture (KJV)
1O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.
8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever.
9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever.
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever.
12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever.
15But shook off Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever.
20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever.
21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever.
22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever.
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Summary
Psalm 136 is the great liturgical psalm of thanksgiving, built on a single refrain repeated twenty-six times: "for his mercy endureth for ever." It was likely sung antiphonally, with a leader reciting each line of God’s acts and the congregation answering with the refrain. The psalm moves from creation (God who made the heavens, stretched out the earth, and made the sun, moon, and stars) to redemption (the exodus from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the defeat of Pharaoh, Sihon, and Og, and the gift of the land), and finally to present providence (God remembering His people in their low estate, redeeming them from enemies, and giving food to all flesh). Every act, from cosmic to daily, is grounded in the same unchanging mercy.
The major themes are thanksgiving, God’s steadfast love (hesed), creation, redemption, providence, and remembrance. The Hebrew word behind "mercy" is hesed—covenant loyalty and steadfast love. Practically, the psalm teaches that every blessing, from starlight to daily bread, is a fresh expression of God’s enduring mercy, and that gratitude is the proper response to all of life. The great lesson is that the same mercy that made the world and freed Israel still feeds us and remembers us today.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 136
I give thanks to You, Lord, for You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. You are the God of gods and Lord of lords, who alone does great wonders. By wisdom You made the heavens, stretched out the earth above the waters, and made the sun, moon, and stars to rule the day and night. You struck Egypt, brought Israel out with a strong hand and stretched-out arm, divided the Red Sea, and shook off Pharaoh and his host. You led Your people through the wilderness, struck down Sihon and Og, and gave their land as a heritage. You remembered us in our low estate, redeemed us from our enemies, and give food to all flesh. O God of heaven, Your mercy endures forever, and for that I give You thanks. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What act of God in this psalm most moves me to give thanks today?
- 2How does the refrain "his mercy endureth for ever" change how I view my current circumstances?
- 3Where do I see God’s mercy in creation, redemption, and daily provision all at once?
- 4How can I make gratitude a refrain in my daily life, as this psalm models?
Related Psalms
Psalm 105
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”
Psalm 105 is a historical hymn that recounts God’s faithfulness to His covenant from Abraham to the conquest of Canaan.
Read morePsalm 106
“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 106 is a confessional hymn that recounts Israel’s long history of rebellion alongside God’s persistent mercy.
Read morePsalm 135
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.”
Psalm 135 is a call to praise that weaves together themes from Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and other psalms.
Read morePsalm 118
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 118 is the climactic Hallel psalm, a personal and communal song of thanksgiving that frames and is framed by the refrain, “His mercy endureth for ever.
Read morePsalm 136
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 136 is the great liturgical psalm of thanksgiving, built on a single refrain repeated twenty-six times: "for his mercy endureth for ever.
Read moreRelated Articles
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