Psalm 136 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

136:1-3

Psalm 136:1-26. The theme is the same as that of Psalm 135:1-21. God should be praised for His works of creation and providence, His deliverance and care of His people, and judgments on their enemies, and His goodness to all. The chorus to every verse is in terms of that of Psalm 106:1; Psalm 118:1-4, and was perhaps used as the Amen by the people, in worship (compare 1 Chronicles 16:36; Psalm 105:45).

The divine titles denote supremacy.

136:4

alone — excluding all help.

136:5-6

by wisdom — or, “in wisdom” (Psalm 104:24).

made — literally, “maker of.”

above the waters — or, “higher than the waters” (Psalm 24:2).

136:12

Compare similar expressions (Exodus 3:20; Deuteronomy 4:34, etc.).

136:15

overthrew — literally, “shook off,” as in Exodus 14:27, as a contemptuous rejection of a reptile.

136:23

remembered us — or, “for us” (Psalm 132:1).

our low estate — that is, captivity.

136:24

And hath redeemed us — or, literally, “snatched us” - alluding to the sudden deliverance effected by the overthrow of Babylon.

136:25

To the special favors to His people is added the record of God‘s goodness to all His creatures (compare Matthew 6:30).

136:26

God of heaven — occurs but once (Jonah 1:9) before the captivity. It is used by the later writers as specially distinguishing God from idols.