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2018 September 18
Psalm 136



Creation (1534)
Lucas Cranach the Elder (c. 1472-1553)
German Renaissance Style
Luther Bible; Location of Original Woodcut Unknown; Available in Various Commercial Reproductions
Image Source: EpistoleWordpress.com

     [ Illustration: Today's painting depicts the LORD as the creator and sustainer of all things -- an emphasis of today's Psalm. ]



SPECIAL NOTE:

[ I will again be working through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I will be adding links, resources, images, and the like, upgrading the former work-through which began with the 2013-10-12 posting which can be found, along with the full Genesis to Revelation postings, in the Archive Page. Postings will be at midnight Eastern Time, as I am able. However, no chapters will be skipped, even though a posting may be late. And all postings will be housed in the Archive Page. ]



     Explanation: In Psalm 136, the Psalmist focuses on the enduring mercy of the LORD, as manifest in his person, his works in nature, his mighty acts on behalf of Israel, and his provisions for men and his other creatures.
     The Psalmist exhorts us to give thanks to the LORD because "his mercy endures forever." This is the closing phrase of each of the 26 lines of the Psalm; and it forcefully brings to our attention the fact that the mercy of God is everlasting. The Psalm is framed by an exhortation at the beginning and the end to give thanks to the LORD because his mercy endured forever.
     The first three verses focus on God's person -- his inherent qualities. He is good. He does not merely do good things; he is good. His favor and his judgment are both expressions of his goodness. Also, he is the God of gods -- greater than the invented gods of men, and greater than the pretenders to godhood among the fallen. He is also the Lord of lords -- greater in might and in authority than all men and angels who have any measure of authority whatsoever. In all of these things his mercy endures forever (1-3).
     He alone does great wonders (incomprehensible things). He made the heavens by wisdom (by his comprehension). He lifted the dry land above the oceans. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars. All of these works were expressions of his mercy which endures forever (4-9).
     He delivered Israel from Egypt, and overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, because his mercy endures forever (10-15).
     He led Israel through the wilderness, and slew the great and famous kings Sihon and Og, giving their lands to Israel, because his mercy endures forever (16-22).
     He remembered Israel in their low estate and redeemed them from their enemies (throughout their history) because his mercy endures forever (23-24).
     He gives food to all of his creatures because his mercy endures forever (25).
     Therefore we should give thanks to the God of heaven because his mercy endures forever (26).


     [ Sermons: Steven J Lawson. Various. ]



Bible Chronologies -- Genesis to Revelation

[Traditional Patriarchal Chronology. Judges Period Chronology 1. Judges Period Chronology 2. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2].

[Post Exile Chronology 1. Post Exile Chronology 2. Post Exile Chronology 3.]

[Prophets Chronology 1. Prophets Chronology 2. Prophets Chronology 3. Prophets Chronology 4.]

[Intertestamental Period Chronology 1. Intertestamental Period Chronology 2. Intertestamental Period Chronology 3.
Intertestamental Period Chronology 4. Intertestamental Period Chronology 5.]

[New Testament Chronology 1. New Testament Chronology 2. New Testament Chronology 3. New Testament Chronology 4. New Testament Chronology 5.]



RESOURCES

PLEASE NOTE: Use the resources on this and other sites thoughtfully, particularly the commentaries and encyclopedias. I have attempted to list conservative, scholarly resources. However, some providers use liberal or liberal-influenced commentaries such as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (in Bible Hub). Such commentaries are undoubtedly included by the provider for the wealth of useful information and comments which they provide. By consulting several commentaries, it should be fairly easy to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If, however, you would like personal assistance, write to me at AD LIB ARTS EMAIL.


          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 136: COMMUNAL PSALMS OF THANKSGIVING: Psalm 65. Psalm 66. Psalm 67. Psalm 75. Psalm 107. Psalm 118. Psalm 124. Psalm 129. Psalm 136. Hallel Psalms: The Egyptian Hallel -- Psalms 113-118: Psalm 113. Psalm 114. Psalm 115. Psalm 116. Psalm 117. Psalm 118. The Great Hallel [Group of Psalms] -- Psalms 118-136: Psalm 118. Psalm 119. Psalm 120. [Subset: Psalms of Ascents: Psalms 120-134.] Psalm 121. Psalm 122. Psalm 123. Psalm 124. Psalm 125. Psalm 126. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 129. Psalm 130. Psalm 131. Psalm 132. Psalm 133. Psalm 134. Psalm 135. Psalm 136. The Great Hallel [Single Psalm] -- Psalm 136. An Individual Hallel -- Psalm 145. The Concluding Hallel -- Psalms 146-150: Psalm 146. Psalm 147. Psalm 148. Psalm 149. Psalm 150. ]
[1] Psalm 106:1; Psalm 118:1; Psalm 135:4-21.
[2] Deuteronomy 10:17.
[4] Psalm 72:18.
[5] Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12.
[6] Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 40:12.
[7] Genesis 1:3; Genesis 1:14-15.
[19] Psalm 135:11.
[24] Psalm 7:2.
[26] Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:4; Psalm 11:4.
     -- From Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers ]


          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: Psalm 136 - #1. Psalm 136 - #2. Psalm 136 - #3. Psalm 136 - #4. Psalm 136 - #5. Psalm 136 - #6. Psalm 136 - #7. Psalm 136 - #8. Psalm 136 - #9. Psalm 136 - #10. Chanted (in Various Languages): Psalm 136 - #11 (Arabic Orthodox). Psalm 136 - #12 (English). Psalm 136 - #13 (French Orthodox Byzantine). Psalm 136 - #14 (Polish). Psalm 136 - #15 (Serbian Orthodox). Psalm 136 - #16 (Serbian Orthodox). Psalm 136 - #17 (Serbian Orthodox). The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]


HARMONY OF THE LAW


John Calvin - CCEL | Analytical Chart - BLB



GOSPEL HARMONIES

Gospel Harmony - Summary | The Harmony of the Gospels - Augustine | Gospel Harmony Chart - Online Bible

Greek Harmony of the Gospels - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF) | Gospel Harmony in English - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF)


HEBREW AND GREEK INTERLINEAR BIBLES


Hebrew and Greek Interlinear Download - Scripture 4 All

Bible Hub Interlinear Hebrew and Greek Bible


Bible Hub Hebrew Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Hebrew Interlinear


Mounce Interlinear | Bible Hub Greek Interlinear | Scripture 4 All Greek Interlinear Bible




Psalm Detailed Outline

THE PSALTER:

(SONGS FOR COVENANT WORSHIP)
Deliverance from Sinners and from Sin

Nearly all the Psalms (except Psalm 90) were written during the 612 year period
from the time of David around 1016 B. C. to the close of the Canon in about 404 B. C.
Psalm 90, according to its superscription, was written by Moses; this may have been around 1406 B. C.

BOOK FIVE OF FIVE:
PSALMS 107-150.
1016 - 404 B.C. Israel
God Praised & Thanked for His Goodness


Psalm 136
Thanks to the LORD for his deliverances and his everlasting love.


Map 1: Bible Nations | Map 2: Empire of David and Solomon Map 3: Kingdoms of Judah and Israel | Post Exile Chronology.


1 O give thanks unto the LORD;
for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


4 To him who alone doeth great wonders:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lighs:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And bought out Israel from among them:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand,
and with a stretched out arm:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


16 To him which led his people through the wilderness:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


23 Who remembered us in our low estate:
for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


25 Who giveth food to all flesh:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
for his mercy endureth for ever.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]


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