Psalms 136

Another liturgical Psalm, closely resembling Psalms 135, but distinguished by the refrain which forms the second half of each verse. This refrain was evidently sung as a response, either by a choir of priests and Levites answering the choir or the singer who chanted the first line; or by the whole congregation. We read that at the laying of the foundation stone of the Second Temple the priests and Levites “answered one another in praising and giving thanks to Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel” (Ezra 3:11; cp. 2 Chronicles 7:3; 2 Chronicles 7:6); and an analogy for the congregational response may be found in the statement that on certain occasions the people answered with Amen, or Amen, Hallelujah (Psalms 106:48, note; Deuteronomy 27:15; Nehemiah 5:13; Nehemiah 8:6). This Psalm was known in the liturgical language of the Jews as “the Great Hallel” (“the Hallel” being Psalms 113-118); but the term was also applied to Psalms 135:4-21, and to the whole group 120–136 (Delitzsch). The Psalm is arranged in well marked groups of three verses to the end of Psa 136:18, after which follow two groups of four verses: but as Psalms 136:17-22 are taken from Psalms 135, and Psalms 136:25 is in no obvious connexion with the context, it may be questioned whether the text is in order. Some forms of the LXX, as represented by the Old Latin in the Gallican Psalter, repeated Psalms 136:3 at the end, and the P.B.V. retains the addition. The Hebrew text of the Book of Ecclesiasticus contains a hymn of thanksgiving which is an obvious imitation of this Psalm, and is largely composed of phrases taken from Psalms in Book 5, particularly 121, 132, 147, 148. It follows ch. Psalms 51:12, “Therefore I give thanks and will praise, and will bless the name of Jehovah,” and runs thus (the refrain being omitted for brevity):

Psalms 136:1-3

1–3. A call to thanksgiving.

Psalms 136:2

2. O give thanks unto the God of praises (Psalms 22:3), for &c.

Psalms 136:3

3. O give thanks unto the keeper of Israel (Psalms 121:4), for &c.

Psalms 136:4-9

4–9. Jehovah the Creator.

Psalms 136:5

5. by wisdom] By understanding, as Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12.

Psalms 136:6

6. that spread forth the earth upon the waters] Cp. Psalms 135:6, note; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Psalms 24:2.

Psalms 136:7-9

7–9. Cp. Genesis 1:14-16.

Psalms 136:8

8. O give thanks unto him that maketh a horn to sprout for the house of David (Psalms 132:17), for &c.

Psalms 136:9

9. O give thanks unto him that chooseth the sons of Zadok to be priests (cp. Ezekiel 40:46), for &c.

Psalms 136:10-15

10–15. Jehovah the Deliverer of Israel. Cp. Psalms 135:8 ff.

Psalms 136:11

11. O give thanks unto the Rock of Isaac, for &c.

Psalms 136:12

12. From Deuteronomy 4:34, &c.; cp. Exodus 6:1; Exodus 6:6.

Psalms 136:13

13. into parts] R.V. in sunder. In two parts of P.B.V. is a printer’s error. The Great Bible of 1539 has into partes.

Psalms 136:14

14. O give thanks unto the King of the kings of kings, for &c.

Psalms 136:15

15. overthrew] Lit. shook off, as Exodus 14:27.

Psalms 136:16-22

16–22. Jehovah the Giver of the promised land. Cp. Psalms 135:10 ff.

Psalms 136:22

22. Israel his servant] Cp. Isaiah 41:8; &c.

Psalms 136:23-26

23–26. Jehovah the Deliverer of Israel and the Supporter of all things living.

Psalms 136:24

24. And hath redeemed &c.] R.V. and hath delivered us from our adversaries.

Psalms 136:25

25. Cp. Psalms 104:27 f.; Psalms 145:15; Psalms 147:9. All flesh includes all living things. Cp. Genesis 6:13. The mention of the universal Providence of God follows somewhat abruptly on the celebration of His care for Israel, and it is possible that there has been some corruption or dislocation of the text.

Psalms 136:26

26. the God of heaven] A late title, occurring here only in the Psalter. It is found in Ezra 1:2, &c.; Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:4; 2 Chronicles 36:23; Jonah 1:9; Daniel 2:18, &c. Cp. Revelation 11:13; Revelation 16:11. The P.B.V. adds “O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” This repetition of Psa 136:3 is taken from the Gallican Psalter, but is not found in any extant MS of the LXX.