May 15, 2019 (Sunday)
Psalm 136 seems to be an expansion of Psalm 135, about God’s mighty works of creation and His dealings with Israel, arranged for antiphonal singing. “His love endures forever” occurs in every verse. It is called a Hallel (praise) psalm, was sung at the opening of the Passover, and was a favorite temple song (1 Chronicles 16:41; 2 Chronicles 7:3; 20:21; Ezra 3:11)
PSALM 136
New International Version (NIV)
I. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS LOVE (1-3).
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
II. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS POWER (4)
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
III. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS CREATION (5-9)
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights–
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
IV. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS DELIVERANCE (10-15)
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
V. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS PROVIDENCE (16-22)
13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings–
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan–
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
VI. PRAISE HIM FOR HIS GRACE (23-25)
23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
VII. PRAISE HIM WHO IS THE GOD OF HEAVEN (26)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Click here for Easy English Explanations about Psalm 136
Click here for Cambridge Bible Commentary notes on Psalm 136
Click here for Spurgeon’s Treasury of David on Psalm 136