The big picture
Psalms 136 opens in verse 1 with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:”, and closes in verse 26 with “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Repeated or prominent terms include endureth, mercy, thanks, Israel, heritage. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 26Psalms 136:1-7
1–7: O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for…
Psalms 136:1–7 opens with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” and reaches “To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by endureth, mercy, thanks.
Context that brings the passage to life
“O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, good, LORD. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 136:1-7
King James Version1O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psalms 136:8-14
8–14: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psalms 136:8–14 opens with “The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:” and reaches “And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by endureth, mercy, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, mercy, rule. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 136:8-14
King James Version8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psalms 136:15-21
15–21: Overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth…
Psalms 136:15–21 opens with “But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.” and reaches “And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by endureth, mercy, king.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Naming Pharaoh and Red keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 136:15-21
King James Version15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psalms 136:22-26
22–26: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for…
Psalms 136:22–26 opens with “Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.” and reaches “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by endureth, mercy, enemies.
Psalms 136:22-26
King James Version22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 136:1 begins with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 136:15 forms a natural hinge: “But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
The final note
Psalms 136:26 leaves the reader with “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words endureth, mercy, thanks, Israel, heritage, king help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.