Psalms 136

Psalms 136:1-9

The scope of this psalm is the same with that of the foregoing, but there is something very popular in the comparison of it; for the latter half of each verse is the same repeated throughout the psalm, for his mercy endureth for ever, and yet no vain repetition; all we enjoy is time, and hope for in eternity, shining purely from this unanchored source. How equally God caused the singing of this psalm on ye 2 Chron. v. 13. 2 Chron. xx. 21, 22. and it should encourage us to repeat the praises of his everlasting mercy. We must praise God, 1. As great and good in himself, ver. 1—2. 2. As the Creator of the world, ver. 5—3. 3. As Israel’s God and Saviour, ver. 10—22. 4. As our Redeemer, ver. 23, 24. 5. As the great Benefactor of the whole creation, and God ever all blessed for evermore, ver. 25, 26.

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 souls: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4. To him who alone doth 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.

Repeated calls are needful for us, who are so backward to the work of praise. The object of our praise is Jehovah’s the God of gods, the Lord of land, transcendently great and glorious, whom angels and men adore: and most worthy is he to be praised.

1. Because he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. This is his most delightful attribute; mercy in an ever-flowing, overflowing stream, descends from him the fountain, and all his people to eternity will prove his love unchangeable, and his covenant of promise sure.

2. Because he alone doth great wonders: in heaven above, v. 5. his wisdom appears, vast the work, stupendous the contrivance, amazing the execution, in order, beauty, proportion, formed with exactest harmony, the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars the night, in regular succession: and in earth beneath his wonder-washing hand is torn, rising above the waters, and garnished with every necessity for man and beall, and this because his mercy endureth for ever, as in his works of creation and providence abundantly appears, and therefore claims from all continual adoration, love, and praise.

3. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born: 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 in 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 both in the Red for: 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 saw famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. 19. Sithon, king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever. 20. And Og, the king of Balban: 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.

Psalms 136:10-22

From general mercies, of which all alike partake, the plainest paths on to the peculiar instances of God’s regard to his own people, from whom he repel’d a peculiar tribute of praise, for special mercies befooved, as well as for the enduring mercy he hath yet in there for them: various instances of these are here mentioned:

1. Their deliverance from Egypt, wrought with a stretched-out arm, after the most awful plagues executed on their op- preffers;

prefers; which closed with that most terrible judgment the death of their first-born. Yet more enduring are his mercies still onwards all his chosen, who have in Jesus Christ a greater deliverance from the bondage of sin and Satan, and eternal redemption from all the powers of evil.

2. Their passage through the Red Sea, divided by miraculous power, to let them safely through, then closing with tremendous roar on their pursuits, and overwhelming them under six mighty waters: and such mercy for ever shall the redeemed God; in all their trials he will open them a way through a stormy world, bring them safe to the shore of eternal will, and from thence enable them to look back on all their enemies, destroyed for ever, as these Egyptians on the shore.

3. Forty years he led them through the wilderness, and fed them by repeated miracles; nor did repeated provocations stop the current of his favours, for his mercy endureth for ever, and he will never call away his people.

4. He brought them safe to the land of Canaan, after subduing mighty kings and their armies before them, according to the promise made unto their fathers, that they might see how fast and enduring his mercies were, and be engaged to trust on them for ever. A better land is prepared for God’s chosen, and through grace, amidst all the opposition of their spiritual enemies, they shall be perplexed to take everlasting kingdom, where to eternity they will acknowledge that his mercy endureth for ever.

5. 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.

Psalms 136:23-26

The more we reflect, the more cause we shall find to praise God’s everlasting mercy.

1. For his grace in redemption. He remembered us in our low estate, and redeemed us from our enemies; many a time he rescued the Jewish people from their bonds when most oppressed; but he hath done infinitely more for his spiritual Israel, when sunk under guilt, corruption, misery, at the gate of the grave, and ready to sink into the belly of hell, he hath ransomed us by his blood, raised us from our state of sin and death, and saved us with an everlasting salvation. Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2. For his kind provision. He giveth food to all flesh; the meanest reptile partakes of his care in common with the greatest of his creatures; he openeth his hand, and they are filled with good; for his mercy is over all his works.

3. For all this are we most deeply obliged to give thanks unto the God of heaven; all other creatures on earth want the power to speak his praise, from man alone that tribute is expected, as the tongue of this lower world, and as the peculiar object of that mercy which endureth for ever.