Psalms 136

The Psalmist exhorteth all the faithful to praise and thanksgiving unto God, by reason of his kindness, might and wisdom, appearing in the Creation of the world, the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, and many other mercies and benefits.

1. Praise the LORD, [The word praise here in the following verses, stands in the plural number, laudate praise ye. Some are of opinion that this Psalm was sung every day by the Levites in Gods assembly. See 1 Chron.16.41.] for he is good: for his kindness is in Eternity, [i.e. dureth, or endureth in Eternity, and so throughout this Psalm.]

2. Praise the God of Gods: [i.e. the chiefest God which hath the absolute command and sovereignty over all the Angels, Kings and Magistrate. See the Annot. Deut.10.on verse 17.] for his kindness is in eternity.

3. Praise the Lord of Lords, [Heb. The Lords of Lords as Gen.24.9. and 39.16.20. and 42.30. Exod.21.4. and elsewhere] for his kindness is in eternity.

4. Him that doth alone great wonders, for his kindness is in eternity.

5. Him that made the heavens with understanding; [i.e. with extraordinary wisdom] for his kindness is in eternity.

6. Him that stretched forth the earth upon the water; or a top, or besides the waters: See Job 26.on v.7. and Psalm 24.on v.2.] for his kindness is in eternity.

7. Him that made the great lights, for his kindness is in eternity.

8. The Sun for dominion in the day: [Or over the day] for his kindness endureth to eternity.

9. The Moon and Stars, for dominion in the night, for his kindness is in eternity.

10. Him that smote the Egyptians, [Others, Egypt in their first-born:] for his kindness is in eternity.

11. And brought forth Israel out of the midst of them: [i.e. the people of Israel] for his kindness is in eternity.

12. With a strong hand, [i.e. with great power. See 1 Kings 8. The Annotations on v.42.] and with a stretched out arm: for his kindness is in eternity.

13. Him that divided into parts [Or cut in pieces] the red-sea: [or the reed-sea, or bulrush-sea,] for his kindness is in eternity.

14. And led Israel thorough the midst of the same: for kindness is in eternity.

15. He hath overthrown Pharaoh with his host in teh red sea. [Heb. Shaken:] for his kindness is in eternity.

16. That lead his people [The Israelites] through the Wilderness: [or in the wilderness] for, etc.

17. That smote great Kings [Or mighty Kings] for his kindness is in eternity.

18. And put to death glorious [Or excellent, mighty, puissant, illustrious] Kings, for his Kindness is in eternity.

19. Sehon the Amoritish King: for his kindness is in eternity.

20. And Og the King of Basan? [Of the land Basan, see the Annot. Deut.32.on v.14. see also of Basanm Jeremiah 50:19. Mich.7.14. Psalms 22:13. [for his kindness is in eternity.

21. And gave their land for an inheritance: [viz. The land of those two Kings] for his kindness is in eternity.

22. For an inheritance to his servant Israel: i.e. to the Israelites, whom he took into his protection that they should serve him. The whole Nation is accounted as if it were but one man. So the people of Israel is called, Gods first-born, Exod.4.v.22.] for his kindness is in eternity.

23. That remembered us [viz. For good, as Gen.8.1.] in our lowness: [i.e. in a manner torn us and broke us out of their hands, as Psalms 7:3.] from our adversaries: for his kindness is in eternity.

24. And he has plucked us [i.e. in a manner torn us and broke us out of their hands, as Psalms 7:3] from our adversaries; for his kindness is in eternity.

25. That giveth food to all flesh: [The Hebrew word Lechem, or bread, is taken for all manner of food. So Mark 6:36. we read of buying of bread, which Matthew chap.14.15. expresseth buying of victuals. Bread is likewise taken for food or fodder for the beast, Psalms 147:9. The Prophets meaning is, that God doth supply and provide all created things with necessaries convenient for their sustenance] for his kindness is in eternity.

26. Praise the God of Heaven: [Others, of the heavens, i.e. him that dwelleth in the Heavens] for his kindness is in eternity.