Psalms 136 (KJV)

Chapter Text

136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Study Lenses

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

The local KJV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "light" and "mercy" 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 "mercy" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.