Psalm 136

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:1

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good - This whole verse is the same as Psalms 106:1, except that that is introduced by a Hallelujah. See the notes at that verse.For his mercy endureth for ever - See also Psalms 106:1, note; Psalms 107:1, note. Literally, “For unto eternity his mercy.” That is, It is ever the same; it never changes; it is never exhausted; it is found in all his dealings - in all his acts toward his creatures, and ever will be. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:2

O give thanks unto the God of gods - See Deuteronomy 10:17. The supreme God; the God superior to all that is called God, or that is adored by the nations of the earth; above all to whom the name God is ever applied.For his mercy... - The ground of praise here is, that it is a characteristic of the supreme God that he is a merciful Being; that there is blended in his character eternal mercy with infinite power. Mere power might fill us with dread; power mingled with mercy, and able to carry out... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:3

O give thanks to the Lord of lords - The Lord or Ruler of all in authority - all kings, princes, rulers. He is supreme over all. This is an attribute of Divinity; yet this is ascribed to the Lord Jesus, thus proving that he is divine. See the notes at Revelation 19:16.For his mercy ... - The ground of praise here, as in the previous verse, is, that this God - the Supreme Ruler over all the potentates and magistrates of earth - is a merciful Being. He is kind and benignant toward those rulers,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:4

To him who alone doeth great wonders - Miracles; marvelous things; things which spring from his direct and absolute power; things lying beyond the range of natural laws. See the notes at Psalms 72:18.For his mercy ... - For all these mighty wonders are performed in carrying out purposes of mercy. So the wonders which were done in Egypt were for the deliverance of an oppressed people; so the miracles performed by the Saviour and his apostles were to remove disease and pain, and to establish a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:5

To him that by wisdom made the heavens - Made them in so wise a manner; where so much wisdom was manifested. See Proverbs 3:19; Proverbs 8:24-31.For his mercy ... - The making of the heavens was a manifestation of mercy and goodness as furnishing an abode for unfallen and holy beings; as a dwelling-place for redeemed sinners when they shall be removed there from the earth; and as, by their order, their beauty, their harmony, and their happy influences, tending to promote the happiness of man on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:6

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters - Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:9; see the notes at Psalms 24:2.For his mercy ... - As an illustration of his benignity and kindness in preparing an abode for man, and for other creatures in the world. Whatever there is of life or happiness, on the continents and islands, has resulted from that act of God when “he made the dry land appear.” read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:7

To him that made great lights - Genesis 1:14. The sun and the moon are here particularly referred to.For his mercy ... - As manifested in all that has followed from the creation and diffusion of light - (all the beauty in the universe as seen; all the life, beauty, and vigor in the vegetable and animal world; all that there is of life and happiness in the universe - for there could be neither if darkness reigned everywhere); light, the emblem of happiness; the source of joy; the producer, in a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:8

The sun to rule by day - Genesis 1:16. Margin, as in Hebrew, for the ruling of the day. That is, to control, as it were, the day; to determine its length - its beginning - its ending - to make it what it is.For his mercy ... - By all the blessings of day as distinguished from night and darkness - by all that the sun in his daily course does to diffuse life, joy, peace, comfort, happiness on the earth - by all that are warmed by its beams, cheered by its light, guided in labor, guarded from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:9

The moon and stars to rule by night - Genesis 1:16.For his mercy ... - As a proof also of his benignity and mercy. By all the beauty of the moon and stars in their course through the heavens - by all that there is in the harmony and order of their movements - by all that there is to make night less hideous and fearful - by all that there is to reveal a countless number of worlds whose existence could not have been discovered but for the night - by all that there is to guide the mariner on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:10

To him that smote Egypt in their first-born - Exodus 12:29. That is, he struck them down, or destroyed them, by his own direct power.For his mercy ... - It was in mercy to his people. It was the means of their deliverance from bondage, for the Egyptians would not otherwise have suffered them to depart. By all the results of their deliverance both to themselves and to mankind, the act was seen to be an act of mercy to the world. It was better for mankind that the Hebrews should be delivered even... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:10

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