Psalm 136 — Praise Without Petition
Introduction: This psalm, or song, is composed only to promote praise and worship to the LORD. There are no requests or petitions from the psalmist, only a listing of many wondrous things the LORD had done. Every line of praise is concluded with the reminder that the mercy of the LORD endures forever. That kind and compassionate treatment of the LORD is everlasting because he has forgiven the sin of those who have placed full trust in him by faith.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — He Is the God of Gods and the Lord of Lords
Psalm 136 “1 O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. 2 O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever. 4 To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: The psalmist encourages us to give thanks to the LORD (Yahweh in Hebrew), who is the only true and living God, and goodness is an immutable part of his nature. He is the ruler and judge who is far above all others who might be called gods or lords. The title “king of kings” could be applied to a man considered above other kings — Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar this way. But Paul wrote to Timothy about the only true King of kings. 1 Timothy 6:15–16 “The King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach to; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” The psalmist concluded this section by setting apart the true God as the one who alone does wonders that have no comparison among mere men.
B — The Lord God Is Creator of Heaven and Earth
Psalm 136 “5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: The psalmist next proclaimed that Yahweh is the creator of heaven and earth by his wisdom, as he poetically gave a very condensed account of the first four days of creation. The account in Genesis of those four days emphasized that the creation of God is good. On the first day God created light. On the second he made the firmament. On the third the dry land appeared and vegetation grew. On the fourth he made the great lights — the sun to rule the day, the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars. And God saw that it was all good.
C — The Lord Brought Israel Out of Egypt for Himself
Psalm 136 “10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the middle of it: for his mercy endures for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: Without completing the creation account or making any reference to hundreds of years of other history, the psalmist moved directly to the final plague in Egypt as the LORD brought Israel out of captivity to become a nation to glorify his name. The firstborn in the tents of Israel were spared because in faith the families put the blood of the sacrifice on the door post and lintels of their tents — protected by the mercy of God that endures forever! By the LORD’s mercy the Red sea was miraculously opened to provide an escape route from Pharaoh’s pursuing army, but that same opening became a death trap as the LORD brought the waters back together and destroyed the army while Israel only watched. After that the LORD led Israel through the wilderness because of his mercy.
D — The Lord Defeated Great Kings to Give Israel Their Lands
Psalm 136 “17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endures for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endures for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endures for ever: 22 Even an heritage to Israel his servant: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: The psalmist continues his theme of the LORD’s mercy, moving past the forty year period in the wilderness and highlighting the blessing given because of the LORD’s mercy. King Sihon had attacked Israel when they requested to peacefully pass through his kingdom, but the LORD made Israel victorious and gave them that land as a possession. Og was another powerful king whose land also became their possession by the LORD’s victory. The verses are clear that the LORD gave those lands for a heritage to Israel his servant.
E — The Lord Redeems His Servants from All Their Enemies
Psalm 136 “23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever: 24 And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures for ever. 25 Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever. 26 O give thanks to the God of heaven: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: If we are indeed servants of the LORD, we need to remember that he has shown us his everlasting mercy as we recognize that we are in a low and humble position as servants that he loves. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” John 15:18–19 “If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” The LORD’s invitation is open to all for new life as the psalmist closes with the encouragement to give thanks to the LORD because his mercy endures forever once it is received. Jude 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
Reflections in Prayer
I praise you LORD, that you are far above all others who may be called gods or lords by men. There is no other true and living God, and no god of man’s imagination who can do the wonders that display your enduring mercy. You, LORD, are the creator of heaven and earth and all of the abundantly wonderful things they contain. When you created them they were all good in your sight. As you have prepared an abundant world for us in this present life, you are preparing an eternal dwelling where all those who have received your salvation will henceforth be with you forever. I thank you LORD, that you have continued over many centuries to separate out of the world those who have placed faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus, again showing that your mercy endures forever. If we humbly submit to you knowing the great love you have for those who serve you, you will certainly redeem us from all of our enemies in this world. You, LORD, mercifully provide food for all living creatures, and your Word is food for the soul of man. My LORD and Savior, I praise you and give thanks to you because your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Published 27 March 2014