136
Psalm 136 · Book Five
About this psalm
Every one of the twenty-six verses ends with the same line: for his mercy endureth for ever. It was clearly built for two voices, one giving the fact and the other giving the refrain. The facts run from creation through the Red Sea to giving food to all flesh. The repetition is not padding; it is the argument.
Read it with somebody else, and take one line each.
One verse at a time, slowly
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: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: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: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.
A hymn built on this psalm
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind John Milton, 1623. Words, chords in any key, and the story. Free to sing.
Press a verse to light it · again for the pen · King James
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Read it in the app
Open Psalm 136 in XA Daily for the Hebrew, the cross-references and the other translations.