Psalms
Psalm 136
KJV
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Overview
Psalm 136 is a responsive-style hymn in which every remembered act is answered by the refrain that God’s mercy endures forever. It moves from thanksgiving and creation to Exodus, wilderness guidance, ancient victories and inheritance, remembrance of the lowly, deliverance, provision for all flesh, and a final thanksgiving to the God of heaven.
Setting and context
The repeated refrain interprets history through enduring mercy. The violent and land-related memories belong to Israel’s ancient narrative and must not be transferred into modern mandates for conquest, revenge, ethnic hostility, or territorial absolutism. Provision language is broad and grateful, not a prosperity guarantee.
Themes
Enduring mercy · Thanksgiving · Creation · Exodus and deliverance · Wilderness guidance · Ancient conquest memory · Remembrance of the lowly · Provision for all flesh
Reflection
Practice gratitude that remembers concrete acts of goodness, hold difficult historical memories inside their ancient context, resist using sacred history to authorize present violence, and let the universal provision of verse 25 enlarge care for hungry people and creation.
Reading notes
They recount ancient Israelite memory; they are not a transferable mandate for modern conquest or revenge. Psalm 136 belongs to an ancient covenant narrative and cannot by itself adjudicate modern legal and political claims. The verse praises universal providence; it does not erase hunger, injustice, or human responsibility.
Key passages
Psalm 136:1: God’s goodness is joined to the refrain of enduring mercy. Let gratitude begin with character rather than circumstance. Psalm 136:4: God alone is praised as the doer of great wonders. Receive wonder without turning faith into spectacle. Psalm 136:23: God remembers people in their low estate. Refuse to treat vulnerability as invisibility or spiritual failure. Psalm 136:25: God gives food to all flesh. Let worship widen into concern for provision and hunger.
Questions readers ask
Why is the same line repeated in every verse? The refrain acts as the interpretive center of the litany: each act is remembered through the claim that God’s mercy endures forever. Do the battle verses authorize violence today? No. They belong to Israel’s ancient narrative and are not a mandate for modern states, churches, or individuals to wage religious violence. Does verse 25 promise prosperity? No. It praises God as giver of food to all flesh and should deepen gratitude and responsibility rather than create a guarantee of personal wealth.