Psalms 136

Psalms 136

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

A Second Call to Temple-Worship, with Responses Inserted.

ANALYSIS

Stanza I., Psalms 136:1-3, A Threefold Call for Thanks, based on the three leading Divine Names. Stanza II., Psalms 136:4-6, the Call Continued, based on the General Wonders of Heaven and Earth. Stanza III., Psalms 136:7-9, On the Ruling Lights of the Heavens. Stanza IV., Psalms 136:10-12, On the Exodus from Egypt. Stanza V., Psalms 136:13-15, On the Passage through the Red Sea. Stanza VI., Psalms 136:16-22, On Guidance through the Wilderness into Israel's Promised Inheritance. Stanza VII., Psalms 136:23-26, On Subsequent Deliverance from Low Estate, Adversaries, and Famine.

(P.R.I.) Praise ye Yah.

1

Give ye thanks to Jehovahfor he is good,

For to the ages is his kindness.

2

Give ye thanks to the God of gods,

For to the ages is his kindness.

3

Give ye thanks to the Sovereign Lord of lords,

For to the ages is his kindness.

4

To him that doeth great wonders by himself alone,

For to the ages is his kindness.

5

To him who made the heavens with understanding.

For to the ages is his kindness.

6

To him that stretched out the earth upon the waters,

For to the ages is his kindness.

7

To him that made great lights,

For to the ages is his kindness.

8

The sun to rule over the day,

For to the ages is his kindness.

9

The moon and stars to rule over the night,

For to the ages is his kindness.

10

To him that smote the Egyptians in their firstborn,

For to the ages is his kindness.

11

And brought forth Israel out of their midst,

For to the ages is his kindness.

12

With a firm hand and an outstretched arm,

For to the ages is his kindness.

13

To him that divided the Red Sea into parts,

For to the ages is his kindness.

14

And caused Israel to pass over through the midst thereof,

For to the ages is his kindness.

15

And shook off Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,

For to the ages is his kindness.

16

To him that led his people in the wilderness,

For to the ages is his kindness.

17

To him that smote great kings,

For to the ages is his kindness.

18

And slew majestic[789] kings,

[789] Br.: noble.

For to the ages is his kindness.

19

Even Sihon king of the Amorites,

For to the ages is his kindness.

20

Also Og king of Bashan,

For to the ages is his kindness.

21

And gave their land for an inheritance,

For to the ages is his kindness.

22

An inheritance to Israel his servant,

For to the ages is his kindness.

23

Who in our low estate was mindful of us,

For to the ages is his kindness.

24

And rescued us[790] from our adversaries,

[790] Ml.: tare us away.

For to the ages is his kindness.

25

Who giveth bread to all flesh,

For to the ages is his kindness.

26

Give ye thanks to the GOD of the heavens,

For to the ages is his kindness.

(Nm.)

PARAPHRASE

Psalms 136

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His lovingkindness continues forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
4 Praise Him who alone does mighty miracles, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
5 Praise Him who made the heavens, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
6 Praise Him who planted the water within the earth,[791] for His lovingkindness continues forever.

[791] Or, who separated the earth from the oceans.

7 Praise Him who made the heavenly lights, for His lovingkindness continues forever;
8 The sun to rule the day, for His lovingkindness continues forever;
9 And the moon and stars at night, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
10 Praise the God who smote the firstborn of Egypt, for His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever.

11, 12 He brought them out with mighty power and upraised fist to strike their enemies, for His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever.

13 Praise the Lord who opened the Red Sea to make a path before them, for His lovingkindness continues forever,
14 And led them safely through, for His lovingkindness continues forever
15 But drowned Pharaoh's army in the sea, for His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever.

16 Praise Him who led His people through the wilderness, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
17 Praise Him who saved His people from the power of mighty kings, for His lovingkindness continues forever,
18 And killed famous kings who were their enemies, for His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever;

19 Sihon, king of Amoritesfor God's lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever

20 And Og, king of Bashanfor His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever.

21 God gave the land of these kings to Israel as a gift forever, for His lovingkindness to Israel[792] continues forever;

[792] Implied.

22 Yes, a permanent gift to His servant Israel, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
23 He remembered our utter weakness, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
24 And saved us from our foes, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing, for His lovingkindness continues forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness continues forever.

EXPOSITION

Though, in general purpose and in leading characteristics, this psalm is much like the preceding one, it nevertheless has several features of its own. It is a Hallel like the foregoing: that is, it is expressly adapted to Temple worship; and, like that, broadly bases Jehovah's claims to worship on creation and (national) redemption. It is, however, special, in that it formally introduces, as ground for adoration, the three leading Divine namesJehovah, Elohim (God) and Adonai (Sovereign Lord); deals with the passage through the Red Sea by three distinct movements (dividedcaused to passshook off); and, after falling back on the previous psalm by way of abbreviated quotation as to taking possession of Canaan, lastly brings forward three reminiscences, which throw a welcome sidelight on the time at which the psalm was probably composed. These three reminiscences are concerned with: (1) a low estate, (2) a rescue from adversaries, and (3) a supply of bread: just theseno othersno more: a cluster of coincidences, finding a striking verification in the times of King Hezekiah. (1) The low estate of the nation during the presence of the Assyrians in the land is manifest (cp. 2 Kings 17:19-23; 2 Kings 19:3, 2 Chronicles 29:8-9); and is a phrase more exactly fitted for that application than for the Exile in Babylon, which surely was something more than a low estate. (2) The forcible rescue from the Assyrians was unique; and the word is more suited to allude to that event than to permissions to captives to return to their land of their own free will. (3) As we have already been reminded by Psalms 126, there was a near approach to famine when the Assyrians were gone; and though the statement as to the provision of bread is here couched in general terms, yet a recent event might well have suggested such a grateful acknowledgement just here. Even Delitzsch, though clinging to a post-exilic origin to the psalm, sees here a reference to a time in which they suffered from famine as well as slavery. Invasion and famine wholly meet the case, and then there is the forcible rescue: respecting which Aglen's note is suggestive: Redeemed.Better, as in original, snatched us from. (Compare Psalms 7:2, used of a lion suddenly seizing his prey.) So suddenly did Jehovah seize Sennacherib.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.

This psalm is much like the one preceding it but it has its own distinctive features. Discuss the similarities and differences.

2.

Discuss the meaning and application of the three divine names; i.e. for our day.

3.

There are several triads in this psalm, three names, three stages of crossing the Red Sea; three reminiscences. Discuss the latter.

4.

Once again this psalm is linked with a Hezekiah and Sennacherib. How?