Psalms 136

This Psalm, like the former, is a commemoration of the goodness of God, expressed in his wonderful works: particularly those he had done for that nation. And, it is likely, was composed to be sung upon the great festivals; as every day, I suppose, they sung the foregoing; which is of the same strain with this, and contains much of the same matter; only here, at every half verse, one half of the choir answers to the other in these words: For his mercy endurethfor ever. A form of acknowledgment prescribed by David, to be used continually in the Divine service, (1 Chron. xvi. 41.) and accordingly followed by Solomon, (2 Chron. vii. 3. G.) when he dedicated the temple; and by Jehoshaphat, when, by the encouragement of a prophet, he went out to encounter a vast army with small forces; (xx. 21.) and here" is repeated six-and-twenty times, to make them the more sensible that they owed all they had to the mere bounty of God, and to excite them to depend entirely upon it, and rest assured it would never Jail them if they did piously and most heartily acknowledge it. Such repetitions we use no^v in our earnest prayers, when we say, J^ord, have mercy upon tis, &c. which are no. more vain than these, I have variously expressed the sense of this repeated, acknowledgment, according as the other part of the several verses seemed to direct me,

Psalms 136:1

C/ GIVE thanks unto the’ Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endurethfor ever. Offer your thankful hymns unto the Lord of all; who is as good as he is great, and will continue his kindness (which hath been exceeding abundant towards us) unto all succeeding generations* Vcr. 2. O give, thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endurethfor ever.] He is the Sovereign of all the heavenly hosts; and therefore praise hira, and give thanks unto him: for he can employ them all for your help and protection (as he hath in former times), and you need not doubt of his kindness, which continues unto all ages.

Psalms 136:3

O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endurethfor ever. All the kings and princes of the earth arfe his subjects; upon which account also, give him praise and thanks: for his kindness endures throughout all ages, to defend you, as he hath done hitherto, from their tyrannical violence.

Psalms 136:4

To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. He it is, and he alone, whose’ works are so great, that they surprise all those who seriously consider them with wonder and astonishment; arid therefore give him praise and thanks; for his kindness will, never fail, still to employ his infinite power for the good of those who are truly grateful to him, Vcr. 5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endurethfor ever.] Look upon the heavens, and behold, with admiration and praise, the splendour and the order; wherein his wisdom hath contrived and settled them’: for his kindness is as large, and as firm, and durable as they. Ver. G. To him that stretched out: the earth above the waters: for his. mercy endureth for ever.] And then look down to. the earth; thankfully praise him who brought it out of the waters, and preserves it in its just extent from being again overflowed by them; for his kindness is no less immoveable, and by length of time can never be impaired:

Psalms 136:7

To him that made great lights: for his mercy endurethfor ever. Witness.those great lights which never go out, but always call upon us to praise and give thanks to him; who made them to illuminate the world, and to be the emblems of his kindness; which sends its benign influences continually upon us unto all generations.

Psalms 136:8

Tlie sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. By day the sun exerts his power to quicken all inferior beings; and excites us to praise him, and be thankful to him; whose kindness thereby perpetually administers; to us all necessary things, and will do so to the end of the world.

Psalms 136:9

Tlie moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. And. by night the moon or the stars supply its place: and let us see how much we arc bound to praise and thank him, whose kindness is so constant, that, in the worst condition, it will never quite fori sake us. 5 *.

Psalms 136:10

To him that smote Egypt in their first-bom: for his mercy endurethfor ever. “We must needs say so, and thjnk ourselves engaged above all others to give him thanks, if we call to mind that memorable night (Exod. xii. 29.) when he punished the Egyptians with the loss of all their first-born: for his kindness still continues for ever to relieve