INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 136 This psalm was very probably composed by David, and given to the Levites to sing every day, 1 Chronicles 16:41. Solomon his son followed his example, and made use of them in singing at the dedication of the temple, 2 Chronicles 7:3; as Jehoshaphat seems to have done when h... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE [IS] GOOD,.... In himself, and to all his creatures; and especially to his chosen people, who therefore should give thanks to him daily in the name of Christ, for all blessings temporal and spiritual, in faith and fervency, and in the sincerity of their souls, wit... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE GOD OF GODS,.... Not only of the gods of the Gentiles, who are by name and not by nature gods; or of civil magistrates, who are so called, and seem to be designed in the next verse; but the angels, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi. Christ, our Immanuel, is the God of them, the object o... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OF LORDS,.... Which is not only the title of the God of Israel, as the former, Deuteronomy 10:17; but of the Messiah, Revelation 19:16; who is the Prince of the kings of the earth; under whom they are, by whom they reign, and to whom they are accountable, being higher than... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHO ALONE DOETH GREAT WONDERS,.... As in the works of creation at first, having no help from angels or men; so in the works of providence, many of which are unsearchable, and past finding out, and in which he has no assistance from creatures; and in the works of grace, redemption, and salvati... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS,.... In such a curious manner, in such a proper and delightful situation, with such furniture, and for such uses, Proverbs 3:19; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; which appears in the continued influences of the heaven; the dew, rain, and snow, that descend f... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT STRETCHETH OUT THE EARTH ABOVE THE WATERS,.... Or, "besides the waters" t, close by them, and yet secures the earth from being covered with them; see Psalms 24:2; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; it was in mercy he caused the waters to go off the earth which first covered it; that tre... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT MADE GREAT LIGHTS,.... For the inhabitants of the world to walk and work by, to do all the business of life in a comfortable manner; and which is an instance of mercy and goodness; see Genesis 1:14; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; these lights continuing for the benefit of mankind.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUN TO RULE BY DAY,.... Which is the greater light, Genesis 1:16; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER: this great light, so beneficial to the earth and the inhabitants of it, which was made near six thousand years ago, still continues, and will to the end of time; enlightening the world, warming... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOON AND STARS TO RULE BY NIGHT,.... The lesser lights, and which indeed receive all their light Front the sun, Genesis 1:16; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; in continuing these lights, so useful to men, as well as in making of them: the moon and stars have their benign influences upon the e... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT SMOTE EGYPT IN THEIR FIRSTBORN,.... In a tender part, in the dear part of themselves, in their sons and heirs, and who were to inherit their lands and estates, and perpetuate their names; this was an act of justice for using ill the Lord's firstborn, the people of Israel, slaying their s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BROUGHT OUT ISRAEL FROM AMONG THEM,.... A wicked and idolatrous people, among whom they suffered great hardships; and this was done by means of God's judgments on them, and especially that before related; and was an instance of the mercy of God, as follows, for which thanks should be given; FOR... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A STRONG HAND, AND WITH A STRETCHED OUT ARM,.... Exerting his power in a very open manner, and continuing it till he had effected the work; bringing his people out of Egypt, which is always ascribed to his great strength and mighty power, Exodus 13:3. The redemption of the mystical Israel of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH DIVIDED THE RED SEA INTO PARTS,.... Into two parts, so that the waters of it stood as a wall on the right and left hand of the Israelites, as they passed through; this was done by means of a strong east wind, Exodus 14:21. The Jews have a tradition, which Jarchi, Kimchi, and Arama, make... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MADE ISRAEL TO PASS THROUGH THE MIDST OF IT,.... Willingly, without reluctance; with great spirit and courage, fearless of danger, and with the utmost safety, so that not one was lost in the passage; see Psalms 78:53; and thus the Lord makes his people willing to pass through afflictions, he bei... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT OVERTHREW PHARAOH AND HIS HOST IN THE RED SEA,.... In the same sea which was parted for the Israelites, and through which they passed safely as on dry land; into which Pharaoh and his army entering in pursuit of them in their chariots, the Lord "shook" u him and them out of them, as the word sig... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH LED HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE WILDERNESS,.... Where there was no path. This the Lord did by going before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night, to show them the way in which they should go, Exodus 13:21; see Psalms 78:14; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; amo... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH SMOTE GREAT KINGS,.... Either the thirty one kings in the land of Canaan; or those who are after particularly mentioned; which seems best, since the kings of Canaan were petty kings, when these were greater ones; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; the smiting of those kings were in mer... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SLEW FAMOUS KINGS,.... Famous for their power and strength, their courage and valour who were not only smitten and discomfited, but slain in battle; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; towards his own people, for whose sake these kings were slain.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIHON KING OF THE AMORITES,.... A strong and warlike people, and their king a great and mighty one; see Psalms 135:11; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; since this king would not suffer Israel to go through his borders, but came out and fought against them; and had not the Lord smote him, they mus... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OG THE KING OF BASHAN,.... A country large and fruitful, and the king of it of a gigantic stature, see Psalms 135:11; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; for this mighty king came out against Israel, and threatened their destruction, and it was of the Lord's mercies they were not consumed by him... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GAVE THEIR LAND FOR AN HERITAGE,.... This was taken away from them and their subjects by the Lord, who has the disposing of kingdoms, and given to another people, for an inheritance; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; while his justice is exercised on some, in a strict manner, with severity and... [ Continue Reading ]
[EVEN] AN HERITAGE UNTO ISRAEL HIS SERVANT,.... The land of those that served idols, the Lord took and gave to Israel for an inheritance, who served him, the true God. Thus the Lord rewards his servants in a way of grace and mercy, though not as of debt; for it follows, FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO REMEMBERED US IN OUR LOW ESTATE,.... The Israelites; either in Egypt, as Jarchi, when in bondage and distress there, and sent them a deliverer; or in the times of the Judges, whom God raised up one after another, to save his people out of the hands of their enemies, by whom they were oppressed;... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HATH REDEEMED US FROM OUR ENEMIES,.... Temporal enemies, tyrants, and oppressors: and spiritual ones, sin, Satan, the world, the law, death, and hell; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; as is clearly seen in redemption by Jesus Christ, where mercy and truth have met together; and which is a dis... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GIVETH FOOD TO ALL FLESH,.... To all creatures; the beasts of the field, and fowls of the air, the young ravens that cry, Psalms 145:15. To all men their daily food; to Jews and Gentiles, good men and bad men, Matthew 6:11; and spiritual food to all that belong to Christ, who are flesh of his f... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE GOD OF HEAVEN,.... the Maker of it, in which the glory of his wisdom and power is displayed; the possessor of it, where he dwells, has his throne, and keeps his court; from whence all blessings, temporal and spiritual, come and where he has prepared glory and happiness for his... [ Continue Reading ]