Sihon king of the Amorites ,.... A strong and warlike people, and their king a great and mighty one; see Psalm 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 must have fallen a prey into his hands, Numbers 21:23 . read more
And Og the king of Bashan ,.... A country large and fruitful, and the king of it of a gigantic stature, see Psalm 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. And it may be observed, whenever tyrannical princes and oppressors are cut off, it is in mercy to the inhabitants of the earth, and especially to the people of God. read more
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 rigour, his mercy is shown to others. read more
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 ever ; Aben Ezra and Kimchi make the mercy to lie in this peculiarly, that the lands of these kings were not in the covenant with Abraham; only the seven nations or kingdoms of Canaan, which... read more
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; or in the Babylonian captivity, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi: though the latter thinks their present captivity is rather intended; but as yet they are not remembered in a gracious way and manner. This... read more
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 distinguishing mercy to the sons of men, not granted to angels. read more
Who giveth food to all flesh ,.... To all creatures; the beasts of the field, and fowls of the air, the young ravens that cry, Psalm 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 flesh, and bone of his bone; even himself, the bread of life, the wholesome truths of the Gospel, and its refreshing ordinances; for his mercy endureth for ever ; he continues to have... read more
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 people hereafter, a house eternal in the heavens, an inheritance reserved there, a better and a more enduring substance; for his mercy endureth for ever ; for though the above character is... read more
O give thanks unto the Lord: for he is good - This sentiment often occurs: the goodness of the Divine nature, both as a ground of confidence and of thanksgiving. For his mercy endureth for ever - These words, which are the burden of every verse, חסדו לעולם כי ki leolam chasdo , might be translated: "For his tender mercy is to the coming age:" meaning, probably, if the Psalm be prophetic, that peculiar display of his compassion, the redemption of the world by the Lord Jesus. These... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 136:18
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. read more