Sihon, typically mentioned in conquest narratives, appears here uniquely embedded within a creation hymn, linking Israel's military victories to God's cosmic ordering power.
Psalms 136
God's Work in Creation and in History
1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods, for his loving kindness endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his loving kindness endures forever;
4to him who alone does great wonders, for his loving kindness endures forever;
5to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his loving kindness endures forever;
6to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his loving kindness endures forever;
7to him who made the great lights, for his loving kindness endures forever;
8the sun to rule by day, for his loving kindness endures forever;
9the moon and stars to rule by night, for his loving kindness endures forever;
10to him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, for his loving kindness endures forever;
11and brought out Israel from among them, for his loving kindness endures forever;
12with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, for his loving kindness endures forever;
13to him who divided the Red Sea apart, for his loving kindness endures forever;
14and made Israel to pass through the middle of it, for his loving kindness endures forever;
15but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his loving kindness endures forever;
16to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his loving kindness endures forever;
17to him who struck great kings, for his loving kindness endures forever;
18and killed mighty kings, for his loving kindness endures forever;
19Sihon king of the Amorites, for his loving kindness endures forever;
20Og king of Bashan, for his loving kindness endures forever;
21and gave their land as an inheritance, for his loving kindness endures forever;
22even a heritage to Israel his servant, for his loving kindness endures forever;
23who remembered us in our low estate, for his loving kindness endures forever;
24and has delivered us from our adversaries, for his loving kindness endures forever;
25who gives food to every creature, for his loving kindness endures forever.
26Oh give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loving kindness endures forever.
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Theme
Psalm 136 is a liturgical hymn of thanksgiving that celebrates God's enduring love through creation and Israel's history. The psalm's distinctive structure features the refrain 'for his loving kindness endures forever' repeated after each line, creating a responsive worship format. It systematically recounts God's mighty acts from creation through Israel's deliverance from Egypt and conquest of the Promised Land, emphasizing that divine love is the constant thread throughout all of history.
Context
This psalm follows the ascent songs (Psalms 120-134) and continues the thanksgiving theme found in Psalm 135, serving as a communal worship piece emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Call to Thanksgiving Opening summons to praise God using three divine titles, establishing the refrain pattern.
- 4-9 God's Work in Creation Celebration of God's creative power in making the heavens, earth, and celestial bodies.
- 10-15 Deliverance from Egypt Recounting the Exodus events from the plagues through the Red Sea crossing.
- 16-22 Conquest of the Promised Land God's guidance through the wilderness and victory over kings to give Israel their inheritance.
- 23-26 Continuing Providence God's ongoing care for his people and all creation, concluding with final thanksgiving.
God's Work in Creation and in History
136:1–136:26 poetry song celebratory
A liturgical psalm celebrating God's enduring loving kindness through creation and Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Each verse concludes with the refrain 'for his loving kindness endures forever.'
person_contrast
Sihon, typically mentioned in conquest narratives, appears here uniquely embedded within a creation hymn, linking Israel's military victories to God's cosmic ordering power.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Psalms 136:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
Psalms 107:1 Lexical
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 106:1 Lexical
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:41 Lexical
and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, b…
Psalms 118:29 Lexical
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 136:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 20:21 Lexical
When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and give praise in holy array…
2 Chronicles 7:3 Lexical
All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the LORD’s glory was on the house. They bowed themsel…
1 Chronicles 16:34 Lexical
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 118:1 Lexical
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 Chronicles 7:6 Lexical
The priests stood, according to their positions; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the…
Psalms 136:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 7:6 Lexical
The priests stood, according to their positions; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the…
Ezra 3:11 Lexical
They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures for…
Psalms 106:1 Lexical
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
Psalms 107:1 Lexical
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 136:9 2 references
Psalms 136:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Deuteronomy 26:8 Lexical
The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, with great terror, with signs, and with w…
1 Kings 8:42 Lexical
(for they shall hear of your great name and of your mighty hand and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays t…
Ezekiel 20:33 Lexical
As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will b…
Ezekiel 20:34 Lexical
I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered with a mighty…
Deuteronomy 5:15 Lexical
You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mig…
Psalms 136:13 1 reference
Psalms 136:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Exodus 15:4 Lexical
He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
Psalms 106:7 Lexical
Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but w…
Deuteronomy 11:4 Lexical
and what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red Sea to ov…
Psalms 136:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Daniel 9:4 Lexical
I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant an…
2 Chronicles 7:6 Lexical
The priests stood, according to their positions; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the…
Ezra 3:11 Lexical
They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures for…
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
Psalms 107:1 Lexical
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Exodus
c. 1446 BCIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
The psalm celebrates God's enduring loving kindness through Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
God's Work in Creation and in HistoryCreation
c. 4004 BCGod's creation of the universe, earth, and all life in six days as recorded in Genesis. This foundational event establishes God's sovereignty and humanity's special role as image-bearers.
The psalm praises God's enduring loving kindness displayed in His work of creation.
God's Work in Creation and in History