Psalms 136 - Introduction

CXXXVI.

The recurrence in this psalm of the ancient liturgic refrain (see Notes, Psalms 106:1; Psalms 118:1), not after every verse, but after every clause, marks clearly the peculiarity of its choral use, and shows that it was composed expressly for the Temple service. It is invariably allowed to be one of the latest hymns in the collection. It has generally been known among the Jews as the Great Hallel, a designation, however, at other times given to the series Psalms 120-136 (according to others Psalms 135:4).