Psalms 136 (ASV)

Chapter Text

136:1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

136:2 Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

136:3 Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:5 To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:6 To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:7 To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:8 The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:11 And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:13 To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:16 To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:17 To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:18 And slew famous kings; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites; For his lovingkindness [endureth] forever;

136:20 And Og king of Bashan; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:21 And gave their land for a heritage; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:22 Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;

136:24 And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:

136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

136:26 Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. Psalm 137

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "light", "give", "thanks", "jehovah", "good", "lovingkindness", "endureth", and "ever". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "light" and "give", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local ASV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "light" and "give" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "light" and "give" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.