Psalms 136:1

An exhortation to give thanks to God for particular mercies.

THIS psalm, like the former, is a commemoration of the wonderful things which God had done for the Jews. Bishop Patrick supposes it to have been intended for the use of their solemn festivals; as it was called by the Jews, הגדול הלל hallel haggadol, the great thanksgiving. He observes upon the frequent repetition of the half verse, that this was done to make them more sensible that they owed all they had to the divine bounty; to excite them to depend entirely upon that bounty, and to rest assured that it would never fail them, if they piously and sincerely acknowledged it. This form of acknowledgment, for his mercy, &c. was prescribed by David to be used continually in the divine service, 1 Chronicles 16:41 followed by Solomon, 2 Chronicles 3:6 and observed by Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20:21. See Bishop Lowth's 29th Prelection.