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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 136:1-9

The duty we are here again and again called to is to give thanks, to offer the sacrifice of praise continually, not the fruits of our ground or cattle, but the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name, Heb. 13:15. We are never so earnestly called upon to pray and repent as to give thanks; for it is the will of God that we should abound most in the most pleasant exercises of religion, in that which is the work of heaven. Now here observe, 1. Whom we must give thanks to?to him that we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 136:3

O give thanks to the Lord of lords ,.... Which is not only the title of the God of Israel, as the former, Deuteronomy 10:17 ; but of the Messiah, Revelation 19:16 ; who is the Prince of the kings of the earth; under whom they are, by whom they reign, and to whom they are accountable, being higher than they; as nature, so by office, Revelation 1:5 , Psalm 89:27 ; for his mercy endureth for ever ; in putting it into the hearts of kings and princes, which he has in his hands, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 136:1-26

The Divine constancy. The refrain of each verse of the psalm may supply us with a guiding thought in our treatment of it. From the first beginnings of creation (as we are affected by them) to the last hour of human experience, we have evidence of the goodness, the "mercy," of the Lord. It has endured through all generations, is with us now, will attend our race (we are sure) to the end of time. We find it— I. IS THE DIVINE PROVISION . God gave us sun, moon, and stars at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 136:1-26

Repetitions many, but not vain. Over and over again the refrain comes, "His mercy endureth for ever." But it is never a vain repetition, unless the mind, by its heedlessness, makes it so. It is like the German piece of music which is called 'The Fremensberg,' which tells one of the old legends of the region—how "a great noble of the Middle Ages got lost in the mountains, and wandered about with his dogs in a violent storm, until at last the faint tones of a monastery-bell, calling the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 136:1-26

Does his mercy endure forever? How many voices there are that seem to deny the blessed declaration which is repeated in every verse of this psalm, and in so many other psalms and Scriptures beside! I. THE VOICE OF EARTHLY SORROW SEEMS TO DENY IT . "What!" says one, "his mercy endureth for ever? And I, once so happily placed, and to whom all life was bright, and now so utterly poor, a ruined man: how can his mercy endure forever? I cannot believe it." And here is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 136:3

Oh give thanks to the Lord of lords . "Lord of lords" occurs also first in Deuteronomy 10:17 . It is used likewise by St. Paul (2 Timothy 6:15) and St. John ( Revelation 17:14 ; Revelation 19:16 ). For his mercy, etc. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 136:2-3

Psalms 136:2-3. O give thanks unto the God of gods Who is infinitely superior to all that are called gods, whether angels, or princes, or idols: the God whom angels adore, from whom magistrates derive their power, and by whom all pretended deities are and shall be conquered; unto the Lord of lords The Sovereign of all sovereigns; or. as the word אדני , adoni, imports, the supporter of all supports, the stay, basis, or foundation of all creatures. 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

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