Psalm 136:1

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 136:1

Psalms 136:1. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good “We are called upon to praise Jehovah, first for his own essential attributes; then for the exertion of those attributes in his works. The attributes here mentioned are those of goodness and power; the one renders him willing, and the other able, to save: and what can we desire more, but that he should continue to be so! Of this likewise we are assured, by contemplating the unchangeableness of his nature. His disposition altereth... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 136:1-26

Psalms 135-136 God’s choice of IsraelTwo hymns for use in Israel’s public worship appear here side by side. The first is a hymn of praise, the second a hymn of thanksgiving. The two hymns are similar in that they both recall God’s loving acts in nature and on behalf of his people Israel. These acts display God’s incomparable greatness on the one hand and show up the uselessness of the gods of the heathen on the other.A call goes out to the worshippers gathered in the temple to praise God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 136:1

the LORD. Hebrew Jehovah App-4 . For, &c. Figures of Speech. Amoebaeon and Epistrophe. App-6 . mercy = loving-kindness, or grace. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 136:1

PSALM 136FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS ENDURETH FOREVERThis title we have chosen because that line is repeated in every one of the psalm's 26 verses as a refrain. It is the only psalm in the Psalter where such a thing occurs.This off-repeated refrain indicates that the composition, as it stands, was used liturgically, that is, as a kind of ritual in the Temple services, with one group, or perhaps even a soloist, singing or reading the first line of each verse, and the congregation responding in the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 136:1

Psalms 136:0. 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... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 136:1

1-3. The divine titles denote supremacy. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 136:1-3

1. Invitation to thank God 136:1-3Three times the psalmist called on the people to give thanks to God. The refrain here and throughout the psalm explains the reason for praising Him. The repetition of the refrain in each verse serves to cause the reader to applaud every divine act that the writer mentioned. [Note: J. F. J. van Rensburg, "History as Poetry: A Study of Psalms 136," OTWSA 29 (1986):86-87.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 136:1-26

Psalms 136This psalm is probably the last of the Great Hallel psalms (Psalms 120-136), though a few Jewish scholars viewed it as the only Great Hallel psalm. [Note: See the discussion of this issue in the introduction to Psalms 135 above.] Many scholars believe that the Israelites sang this psalm at Passover when they celebrated the Exodus. Other hallel psalms are 113-118 and 146-150. This psalm is unique because it repeats the same refrain in each verse. The Israelites probably sang this song... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 136:1-26

A song of praise to God ever merciful. It is sometimes known as the great Hallel, although the Talmud includes also Psalms 120-135 under this title. It differs from all other Pss. in the Psalter in that each v. closes with a refrain. 6. Cp. Psalms 24:2. 19-22. Cp. Psalms 135:11, Psalms 135:12.23. Low estate] i.e. condition of abasement, perhaps the exile or subjection to a foreign yoke. read more

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