The God of gods - האדנים לאדני ladonai haadonim . As adonai signifies director, etc., it may apply here, not to idols, for God is not their god; but to the priests and spiritual rulers; as Lord of lords may apply to kings and magistrates, etc. He is God and ruler over all the rulers of the earth, whether in things sacred or civil. read more
Who alone doeth great wonders - Miracles. No power but that which is almighty can work miracles, נפלאות niphlaoth , the inversion, or suspension, or destruction of the laws of nature. read more
By wisdom made the heavens - In the contrivance of the celestial bodies, in their relations, connexions, influences on each other, revolutions, etc., the wisdom of God particularly appears. read more
Stretched out the earth above the waters - Or, upon the waters. This seems to refer to a central abyss of waters, the existence of which has not been yet disproved. read more
Great lights - See the notes on the parallel passages in Genesis 1:1 , etc. read more
Verse 1 1.For his mercy, (172) etc. The insertion of this clause again and again in so many short and abrupt sentences, may seem a vain repetition, but verses repeated by way of chorus are both allowed and admired in profane poets, and why should we object to the reiteration in this instance, for which the best reasons can be shown, Men may not deny the divine goodness to be the source and Fountain of all their blessings, but the graciousness of his bounty is far from being fully and sincerely... read more
Verse 4 4.Who alone hath done great wonders Under this term he comprehends all God’s works from the least to the greatest, that he may awaken our admiration of them, for notwithstanding the signal marks of inconceivably great wisdom and divine power of God which are inscribed upon them we are apt through thoughtlessness to undervalue them. He declares that whatever is worthy of admiration is exclusively made and done by God, to teach us that we cannot transfer the smallest portion of the praise... read more
Verse 7 7.Who made the great lights, etc. — Moses calls the sun and moon the two great lights, and there is little doubt that the Psalmist here borrows the same phraseology. What is immediately added about the stars, is, as it were, accessory to the others. It is true, that the other planets are larger than the moon, but it is stated as second in order on account of its visible effects. The Holy Spirit had no intention to teach astronomy; and, in proposing instruction meant to be common to the... read more
Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Identical with the first verse of Psalms 118:1-29 , which is probably a very ancient formula, and one used at the erection both of the first ( 2 Chronicles 5:13 ) and of the second temple ( Ezra 3:11 ). read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 136:1
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