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Psalms 136

Psalms 136

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 · 26

Psalms 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” By verse 4, the text has turned to “To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.” It lands on “To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as endureth, mercy, thanks, LORD, doeth, earth tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Lord. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 4: “To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: endureth, mercy, thanks, LORD, doeth, earth

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 136:1

    “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.

  2. Psalms 136:2

    “O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

  3. Psalms 136:3

    “O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

  4. Psalms 136:4

    “To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include doeth, endureth, mercy. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 136:5

    “To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, heavens, mercy. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 136:6

    “To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, endureth, mercy. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 136:7

    “To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, lights, mercy. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 136:1-7

King James Version

1O 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:” By verse 11, the text has turned to “And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:” It lands on “And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as endureth, mercy, Israel, rule, divided, Egypt tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Israel, Egypt, Red. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 11: “And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: endureth, mercy, Israel, rule, divided, Egypt

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 136:8

    “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.

  2. Psalms 136:9

    “The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, mercy, moon. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 136:10

    “To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. Psalms 136:11

    “And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. Psalms 136:12

    “With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, hand, mercy. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 136:13

    “To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Red keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. Psalms 136:14

    “And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Psalms 136:8-14

King James Version

8The 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.” By verse 18, the text has turned to “And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:” It lands on “And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as endureth, mercy, king, kings, Amorites, Bashan tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Amorites, Bashan, Pharaoh, Red, Sihon. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 15: “But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: endureth, mercy, king, kings, Amorites, Bashan

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 136:15

    “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.

  2. Psalms 136:16

    “To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, mercy, people. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 136:17

    “To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, kings, mercy. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Psalms 136:18

    “And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, famous, kings. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 136:19

    “Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Amorites and Sihon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Psalms 136:20

    “And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Naming Bashan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. Psalms 136:21

    “And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, gave, heritage. Its relationship to verses 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 136:15-21

King James Version

15But 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.” By verse 24, the text has turned to “And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.” It lands on “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as endureth, mercy, enemies, estate, flesh, food tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Even, God, Israel. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 24: “And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: endureth, mercy, enemies, estate, flesh, food

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 136:22

    “Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Naming Even and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. Psalms 136:23

    “Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, estate, mercy. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 136:24

    “And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, enemies, mercy. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Psalms 136:25

    “Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, flesh, food. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 136:26

    “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

Psalms 136:22-26

King James Version

22Even 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.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Follow the speaker, images, parallel lines, questions, and emotional movement.
  2. Notice where tension or suffering resists an easy answer.
  3. Read a saying as wisdom for faithful discernment, not as a mechanical promise detached from context.

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.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Psalms 136?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Psalms 136 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Psalms 136:1–26 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus.?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?