|
|
|
Psalm 136
|
|
|
|
King James Version of the
Bible
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for
he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth
for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth
for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth
for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for
ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth
for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy
endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy
endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy
endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his
mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth
for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for
ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for
ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for
ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy
endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy
endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth
for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy
endureth for ever.1
Bible Commentary
1 The inspired writer calls
us to render thanks to God for His goodness and mercy to man. Let us
thank him that we have seen, proved, and tasted that he is good.
God’s mercy or love is eternal.2
2 Assuming that the deities of the heathen were gods, yet none of them
could be compared with our Elohim, who is infinitely beyond what
they are fabled to be. If the heathen cultivate the worship of their
gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of
the God of gods--the only true and real God.2
3 There are lords many, but Jehovah is the Lord of them. He is more
lordly than all emperors and kings condensed into one.
For this we may well be thankful, for we know the superior Sovereign
will rectify the abuses of the underlings who now lord it over
mankind. He will call these lords to his bar, and reckon with them
for every oppression and injustice.2
4 God is the unrivalled miracle worker. Only a Being of infinite
intelligence could have designed the universe with its indescribable
wonders.3
5 What wisdom lies hidden in the secrets of the universe God has made!
Scientific discoveries continually reveal more and more of the
marvels of His creation. Design is seen in every department of
nature.3
6 By His strength God sets fast the mountains and consolidates
the habitable land upon which we sojourn, so that no deluge drowns
the race. Who but the Lord could have wrought this marvel?2
7 What could men have done without light? Though they had the heavens
above them, and dry land to move upon, yet what could they see, and
where could they go without light? In great mercy God concentrated
light upon two grand luminaries, the sun and moon.2
8 The influences of the sun are too many for us to enumerate
them all, but untold benefits come to all orders of beings by its
light, warmth, and other operations. Whenever we sit in the
sunshine, our gratitude should be kindled.2
9 No hour of the day is left without rule. When we look up to
the sky at night and see the lamps of heaven, we are reminded of
God’s great love to us. The moon gladdens the heart, and the
twinkling stars seem to speak messages of comfort.3
10 The final plague by which the Egyptians were smitten in their
firstborn resulted in the deliverance of Israel from their
oppressors. Their exodus from Egypt led to the creation of God’s
favoured nation.2
11 Pharaoh and his slave masters were determined not to let the
children of Israel go from their servitude in Egypt. However, when
the Lord plans and promises to release His people and His people
cooperate, there is no power in earth or hell that can withstand
Him. When the proud monarch defies Him and refuses to cooperate he
does so to his own destruction.3
12 In the Exodus the great power and glory of Jehovah
were seen. He dashed in pieces the enemy with his right hand. He led
forth his people in no mean or clandestine manner. "He brought them
forth also with silver and gold, and there was not one feeble person
in all their tribes."2
13 The Lord made a road across the sea bottom, causing the divided waters
to stand like walls on either side. He who causes the waters of the
sea ordinarily to remain as one mass can with equal readiness divide
them.2
14 The Lord gave the people courage to follow the predestined track
through the yawning abyss, which might well have terrified a veteran
host. He led them down into the deep and up again on the further
shore in perfect order, keeping their enemies back by the thick
darkness of the cloudy pillar.2
15 The enemy in his fury drove after Israel into the sea, but his wrath
found a terrible recompense beneath the waves. The chariots were
thrown over, the horses were overthrown. Broken was the power and
conquered was the pride of Egypt. Jehovah had vanquished the enemy.2
16 Throughout the wilderness journeying the Lord was the Provider and
Leader of His people. He guided Israel by the pillar of fire by
night and the cloud by day. He provided them with water and sent
food from heaven to them. For forty years their feet did not swell,
neither did their garments wax old in all the journey.2,3
17 Within sight of their inheritance Israel had to face powerful enemies,
kings judged to be great. However He who had subdued the really
mighty ruler of Egypt made short work of these petty sovereigns,
great though they were in the esteem of neighbouring princes.2
18 What good was their fame to them? As they opposed God they became
infamous rather than famous. Their deaths made the Lord's fame
to increase among the nations while their fame ended in disgraceful
defeat.2
19 Sihon smote Moab, but he could not smite Israel, for the Lord smote
him. He was valiant and powerful, so as to be both great and
famous; but as he wilfully refused to give a peaceful passage to the
Israelites, and fought against them in malice, there was no choice
for it but to let him run into that destruction which he courted.
His fall was speedy and final, and the chosen people were so struck
with it that they sung of his overthrow in their national songs.2
20 When the Lord's people were called upon to fight against Og king of
Bashan, of the race of the giants, it was God who won the victory.
Og had to exchange his bedstead of iron for a bed in the dust, for
he fell on the battle field.2
21 The land of Canaan did not become the property of the Israelites by
their own sword and bow, but was given by a grant from God. He had
promised to Abraham that his seed would inherit this country.2
22 The lands of the heathen kings were given to Israel, and subdivided
into lots such that every family had a plot of ground for
cultivation. The laws by which the portions of ground were reserved
to the owners and their descendants for a perpetual inheritance were
fit subjects for song.2
23 Israel was brought unto a low estate of bondage and slavery in Egypt,
but the Lord did not forget them in their distress. To all who have
fallen low in sorrow, in sickness, or in sin, how comforting it is
to know that the Lord does not forget, but sends help and
deliverance.3
24 Israel's enemies brought the people low; but the Lord intervened, and
turned the tables by a great redemption. The expression implies that
they had become like slaves, and were not set free without price and
power; for they needed to be "redeemed."2
25 The universal goodness of God in feeding all his creatures is as
worthy of praise as his special favours to the elect nation. Because
the Lord feeds all life therefore we expect him to take special care
of his own family.2
26 The Lord is God in the highest realms, and among celestial beings. His
throne is set in glory, above all, and out of reach of foes. He who
feeds ravens and sparrows is yet the glorious God of the highest
realms. Angels count it their glory to proclaim his glory in every
heavenly street.
2
References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. Charles H. Spurgeon, "The Treasury of David" - http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries
3. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 3 pgs. 861-862
4. Charles H. Spurgeon, "The Treasury of David"
quoting John Gill - http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries
5. Living Word Bible Church - Five Books of Psalms - http://www.lwbc.co.uk/5_books_of_psalms.htm
6.
Easton Bible Dictionary -
www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/David
|
|
|
|
|
|