Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; Psalm 136:23
God’s Work in Creation and in History
Psalm 136 is the quintessential psalm of descriptive praise. The worship leader, perhaps a prist, would read the first part of each verse. The people would then respond with their praise centering on the mercy of God: “For His mercy endures forever.” This psalm known as the “Great Hallel,” was often recited in the temple as the Passover lambs were being slain. Some include Ps. 135 and the psalms of ascents (Ps. 120-134) in the “Great Hallel.”
Creation/Redemption. The twin themes of creation and redemption dominate this psalm. They also dominate the OT’s vision of God, who is known through these two mightiest of His acts.
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever; 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever; 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever; 19 21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; 22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever.
24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
136:1, 2 Give thanks means “to give public acknowledgement”; it is one of the principal words for praise in the Psalms. Mercy, which may also be translated “loyal love,” is the most significant term used in the Psalms to describe the character of God. His mercy is “forever”; it is part of His eternal character. God of gods; The poet uses Hebrew superlatives to proclaim the Lord as the Supreme Deity.
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
136:4, 5 In the OT, the term great wonders is used exclusively for the awe-inspiring actions of God. God’s creation of the universe is the grand display of His wisdom. The heavens give a clear presentation of the glory of God. Romans 1:20 teaches that God’s “invisible attributes” are clearly seen through the things He has made.
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20
136:10-13 struck Egypt: The poet refers to God’s great acts of deliverance in bringing Israel from Egypt at the dawn of Israel’s redemption. Strong hand: This is a slogan of redemption. It has been said that when God created the universe, it was the work of His fingers (8:3); but when He battled for the salvation of His people, it was with His strong right hand. God brought Israel across the Jordan by dividing its waters, then used the same waters to destroy the pursing army of Egypt.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; 11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever;
136:19, 20 The poet’s recital of Israel’s history includes the capture of the lands east of the Jordan, including the territories of Sihon and Og (Num. 21). The result was the gift of the land of Canaan to the people of Israel.
17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; 18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever– Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever–
136:23 It is possible that the words remembered us suggest the return of the people of Judah and Jerusalem to their land following the Babylonian captivity. Like Ps. 135, Ps. 136 may have been written after the Exile.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever;
136:26 Oh, give thanks: The psalm ends as it begins, with celebration of God’s continuing faithfulness to His people Israel and a call to thank Him for His goodness.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
** God’s delivering hands have been at work since He made us. Like the hands of a physician who delivers a baby, God has delivered each of us into existence. But His work didn’t end there. He has been busy delivering us from all sorts of trouble. Such is the history of me and everyone who have the privilege of calling Him Abba Father. I’ll never get over the joy of having such a person as my parent, my God.
136 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever– 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever. 10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; 11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever; 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever; 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever; 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever; 17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; 18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever– 19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever– 21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; 22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever. 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.
