Psalms 136 Study Notes: God's Enduring Love Through History
A song of thanks in which every verse ends with a refrain praising God's everlasting covenant love. It traces His works from creation through the exodus, the sea crossing, the wilderness, and the defeat of Sihon and Og, to His rescue of His lowly people and His care for every creature.
General
With which of God's works does the psalm's recital begin in 136:4-9?
Answer: The making of heavens, earth, and lights
After naming God as the only one who performs great wonders (136:4), the psalm starts its list of those wonders with creation. God made the skies by His insight, stretched the land over the waters, and made the sun to govern daytime, with moon and stars ruling the night (136:5-9). Proverbs and Jeremiah also say the heavens were made by God's wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12), and Genesis records the making of the lights to rule day and night (Genesis 1:16). The same God who made the world is the one who then rescues Israel.
- Psalm 136:4-9 (BSB)“He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever. By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever. He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever. He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.”The recital begins with God's great wonders in creation: the heavens, the earth, and the lights of day and night.
- Proverbs 3:19 (BSB)“The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.”Proverbs likewise says the LORD made the heavens and earth by wisdom and understanding.
- Jeremiah 10:12 (BSB)“The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”Jeremiah credits the stretching out of the heavens to God's understanding.
- Genesis 1:16 (BSB)“God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well.”Genesis records God making the sun, moon, and stars to rule day and night.
Theological
Where does the psalm's recital of God's wonders begin, according to 136:4-9?
Answer: The making of heavens, earth, and lights
The recital opens with creation, set under the heading of the wonders God alone performs (136:4). He made the skies by His insight, stretched the land over the waters, and set the sun over daytime, with moon and stars over the night (136:5-9), echoing Genesis 1:16. Wisdom literature and the prophets likewise ascribe creation to God's wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12). By beginning here, the psalm grounds Israel's redemption in the power of the Creator.
- Psalm 136:4-9 (BSB)“He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever. By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever. He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever. He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.”The recital begins with God's great wonders in creation: the heavens, the earth, and the lights of day and night.
- Proverbs 3:19 (BSB)“The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.”Proverbs likewise says the LORD made the heavens and earth by wisdom and understanding.
- Jeremiah 10:12 (BSB)“The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”Jeremiah credits the stretching out of the heavens to God's understanding.
- Genesis 1:16 (BSB)“God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well.”Genesis records God making the sun, moon, and stars to rule day and night.
General
True or False: In 136:25 the psalm says God feeds every living creature.
Answer: True
This is true. Near its close, the psalm widens its view from Israel's history to all creation: God provides food for every creature (136:25). His goodness is shown not only in rescuing His people but in feeding all living things. The psalm then ends as it began, with a final call to give thanks, this time addressed to God in heaven (136:26). Another psalm says God opens His hand and satisfies every living thing (Psalm 145:15-16), Jesus points to the birds that the Father feeds (Matthew 6:26), and Paul tells a crowd of Gentiles that God's gifts of rain and food testify to His goodness (Acts 14:17).
- Psalm 136:25 (BSB)“He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm widens its view to God's provision of food for every living creature.
- Psalm 145:15-16 (BSB)“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”God opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing.
- Matthew 6:26 (BSB)“Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”Jesus points to the birds as fed by the heavenly Father.
- Acts 14:17 (BSB)“Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.””Paul tells the people of Lystra that God's gifts of rain and food testify to His goodness.
Theological
True or False: According to 136:25, God's provision of food extends to every creature.
Answer: True
This is true. After the history of redemption, the recital closes with God's providence over all creation: He supplies food for every living creature (136:25), and the psalm closes by calling once more for thanks to God in heaven (136:26). His covenant love for Israel sits within a wider goodness toward all living things (Psalm 145:15-16). Jesus draws on this providence in teaching His disciples not to worry (Matthew 6:26), and Paul appeals to it as God's witness to Himself among the nations (Acts 14:17).
- Psalm 136:25 (BSB)“He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm widens its view to God's provision of food for every living creature.
- Psalm 145:15-16 (BSB)“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”God opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing.
- Matthew 6:26 (BSB)“Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”Jesus points to the birds as fed by the heavenly Father.
- Acts 14:17 (BSB)“Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.””Paul tells the people of Lystra that God's gifts of rain and food testify to His goodness.
General
According to 136:21-22, what did God do with the land of the defeated kings?
Answer: He gave it to Israel, His servant, as a heritage
God did not only defeat the kings; He handed their territory to Israel, His servant, as an inheritance (136:21-22). Numbers records Israel taking possession of Sihon's land (Numbers 21:24), and Joshua says Moses gave the lands of Sihon and Og to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 12:6). Psalm 135 recalls the same kings and the same gift (Psalm 135:10-12). The territory was God's gift, not Israel's achievement.
- Psalm 136:21-22 (BSB)“and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever. a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.”God gives the defeated kings' land to Israel, His servant, as an inheritance.
- Numbers 21:24 (BSB)“And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.”After defeating Sihon, Israel took possession of his land.
- Joshua 12:6 (BSB)“Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had struck them down and given their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”Moses gave the land of Sihon and Og as an inheritance to two and a half tribes.
- Psalm 135:10-12 (BSB)“He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.”Psalm 135 recalls the same kings and the same gift of their land to Israel.
Theological
What does 136:21-22 say became of the defeated kings' territory?
Answer: He gave it to Israel, His servant, as a heritage
The land of Sihon and Og was given to Israel, God's servant, as an inheritance (136:21-22). Numbers 21:24 records the possession of Sihon's territory, and Joshua 12:6 specifies its allotment to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Psalm 135:10-12 has the same sequence of kings and inheritance. The land comes to Israel as a gift of grace, in keeping with the covenant promise.
- Psalm 136:21-22 (BSB)“and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever. a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.”God gives the defeated kings' land to Israel, His servant, as an inheritance.
- Numbers 21:24 (BSB)“And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.”After defeating Sihon, Israel took possession of his land.
- Joshua 12:6 (BSB)“Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had struck them down and given their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”Moses gave the land of Sihon and Og as an inheritance to two and a half tribes.
- Psalm 135:10-12 (BSB)“He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.”Psalm 135 recalls the same kings and the same gift of their land to Israel.
General
Which event marks the psalm's move from creation to Israel's history in 136:10-12?
Answer: The striking of Egypt's firstborn
Having praised God as Creator, the psalm moves straight to the exodus. God killed Egypt's firstborn and led Israel out of the land with great power, pictured as God's strong hand and arm stretched out (136:10-12). Exodus records this final plague at midnight (Exodus 12:29). God had promised beforehand to redeem Israel by His arm (Exodus 6:6), and Israel later confessed this same deliverance when bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26:8).
- Psalm 136:10-12 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever. with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm turns from creation to the exodus: the death of Egypt's firstborn and Israel's release by God's power.
- Exodus 12:29 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.”Exodus records the LORD striking down Egypt's firstborn at midnight.
- Deuteronomy 26:8 (BSB)“Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.”Israel's confession of faith used the same picture of God's powerful hand and arm.
- Exodus 6:6 (BSB)“Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”Before the plagues God had promised to redeem Israel with an outstretched arm.
Theological
What event opens the historical section of the recital in 136:10-12?
Answer: The striking of Egypt's firstborn
The historical section begins with the tenth plague, the death of Egypt's firstborn, and the resulting release of Israel by God's power (136:10-12). The narrative is Exodus 12:29. The image of the mighty hand and outstretched arm links the psalm to God's promise of redemption in Exodus 6:6 and to Israel's credal confession in Deuteronomy 26:8. The Creator of 136:5-9 is shown to be the Redeemer of His people.
- Psalm 136:10-12 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever. with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm turns from creation to the exodus: the death of Egypt's firstborn and Israel's release by God's power.
- Exodus 12:29 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.”Exodus records the LORD striking down Egypt's firstborn at midnight.
- Deuteronomy 26:8 (BSB)“Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.”Israel's confession of faith used the same picture of God's powerful hand and arm.
- Exodus 6:6 (BSB)“Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”Before the plagues God had promised to redeem Israel with an outstretched arm.
General
What reason does 136:1 give for thanking the LORD?
Answer: He is good, and His loving devotion never ends
The psalm begins with a call to give thanks and a reason for it: the LORD is good, and His loving devotion, His loyal, covenant-keeping love, lasts forever (136:1). Verses 2-3 add two titles that set Him above every rival: He is the God above all gods and the Lord over all lords. Moses had used the same pair of titles for the LORD (Deuteronomy 10:17), and the same call to thanks was sung when David brought the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:34). Paul gives God a similar title of supreme rule (1 Timothy 6:15). Everything that follows in the psalm is an illustration of this opening reason.
- Psalm 136:1-3 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm opens by calling for thanks to the LORD, the supreme God and Lord, because He is good and His love is lasting.
- Deuteronomy 10:17 (BSB)“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.”Moses gives the LORD the same double title, supreme over every so-called god and lord.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”The same call to thanksgiving, with the same reason, was sung when the ark came to Jerusalem.
- 1 Timothy 6:15 (BSB)“which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.”Paul names God the only Sovereign, King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
Theological
On what ground does 136:1 base its summons to thanksgiving?
Answer: He is good, and His loving devotion never ends
The summons rests on God's character: He is good, and His loving devotion is everlasting (136:1). The titles in 136:2-3 assert His supremacy over all other powers claimed as gods or lords, the same pairing Moses used (Deuteronomy 10:17) and that Paul echoes in ascribing to God sovereign rule (1 Timothy 6:15). The formula also appears in the Chronicler's account of worship before the ark (1 Chronicles 16:34). The rest of the psalm unfolds this opening ground in God's works of creation and redemption.
- Psalm 136:1-3 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm opens by calling for thanks to the LORD, the supreme God and Lord, because He is good and His love is lasting.
- Deuteronomy 10:17 (BSB)“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.”Moses gives the LORD the same double title, supreme over every so-called god and lord.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”The same call to thanksgiving, with the same reason, was sung when the ark came to Jerusalem.
- 1 Timothy 6:15 (BSB)“which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.”Paul names God the only Sovereign, King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
General
How do 136:23-24 differ from the verses just before them?
Answer: They switch to first person, recalling how God rescued us
Until verse 22 the psalm speaks of what God did for Israel in the past. In 136:23-24 it shifts to the first person plural: God remembered us when we were brought low and set us free from those who opposed us. The worshipers count themselves among those God rescued. Israel knew this pattern well: in the days of the judges the LORD took pity on His oppressed people and saved them (Judges 2:18), and another psalm recalls God delivering His people when they cried out (Psalm 107:6). Mary praises God in similar terms for looking with favor on her humble state (Luke 1:48).
- Psalm 136:23-24 (BSB)“He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever. and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm turns to God remembering His people when they were brought low and freeing them from enemies.
- Judges 2:18 (BSB)“Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.”In the time of the judges the LORD took pity on His oppressed people and saved them from their enemies.
- Psalm 107:6 (BSB)“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.”Another psalm recalls God delivering His people when they cried out in distress.
- Luke 1:48 (BSB)“For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”Mary praises God for looking with favor on her humble state.
Theological
How does the perspective of 136:23-24 differ from the verses before them?
Answer: They switch to first person, recalling how God rescued us
The recital moves from third-person history to first-person confession: God kept us in mind in our humiliation and rescued us from our foes (136:23-24). The worshiping community identifies itself with the people God has always delivered. The pattern of God's compassion on His afflicted people runs through the judges (Judges 2:18) and the psalms (Psalm 107:6), and Mary's song praises God for regarding the lowliness of His servant (Luke 1:48).
- Psalm 136:23-24 (BSB)“He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever. and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm turns to God remembering His people when they were brought low and freeing them from enemies.
- Judges 2:18 (BSB)“Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.”In the time of the judges the LORD took pity on His oppressed people and saved them from their enemies.
- Psalm 107:6 (BSB)“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.”Another psalm recalls God delivering His people when they cried out in distress.
- Luke 1:48 (BSB)“For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”Mary praises God for looking with favor on her humble state.
General
What two outcomes does 136:13-15 set side by side at the sea?
Answer: Israel was led through, and Pharaoh's army was swept away
The psalm tells the sea crossing in three steps: God split the sea, brought Israel across through its middle, and hurled Pharaoh and his troops into the water (136:13-15). The same event was rescue for God's people and judgment on their oppressor. Exodus records both sides: the waters divided so Israel walked on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22), and then the sea returned and covered Pharaoh's whole army (Exodus 14:27-28). Hebrews contrasts Israel's passage with the drowning of the Egyptians who tried to follow (Hebrews 11:29).
- Psalm 136:13-15 (BSB)“He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.”God divides the sea, leads Israel through it, and sweeps Pharaoh and his army into it.
- Exodus 14:21-22 (BSB)“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.”Exodus records the waters divided and Israel crossing on dry ground.
- Exodus 14:27-28 (BSB)“So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.”Exodus records the LORD sweeping the Egyptians into the returning sea.
- Hebrews 11:29 (BSB)“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.”Hebrews recalls the crossing, contrasting Israel's passage with the Egyptians' drowning.
Theological
What contrast does 136:13-15 draw in its account of the sea?
Answer: Israel was led through, and Pharaoh's army was swept away
At the sea, deliverance and judgment happen together: God divides the waters, leads Israel through, and overthrows Pharaoh and his troops in the same waters (136:13-15). Exodus narrates both sides (Exodus 14:21-22, 27-28), and Hebrews sets the people's passage by faith against the Egyptians' destruction when they attempted the same path (Hebrews 11:29). Salvation for God's people and judgment on His enemies are two sides of the one act.
- Psalm 136:13-15 (BSB)“He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.”God divides the sea, leads Israel through it, and sweeps Pharaoh and his army into it.
- Exodus 14:21-22 (BSB)“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.”Exodus records the waters divided and Israel crossing on dry ground.
- Exodus 14:27-28 (BSB)“So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.”Exodus records the LORD sweeping the Egyptians into the returning sea.
- Hebrews 11:29 (BSB)“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.”Hebrews recalls the crossing, contrasting Israel's passage with the Egyptians' drowning.
General
Which two kings does 136:17-20 name as struck down by God?
Answer: Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan
The psalm says God struck down great and mighty kings and names two of them: Sihon, the Amorite king, and Og, who ruled Bashan (136:17-20). Numbers tells how Sihon refused to let Israel pass, came out to fight, and was defeated (Numbers 21:21-24), and how Og then came out against Israel at Edrei and was defeated after the LORD told Moses not to fear him (Numbers 21:33-35). The psalm gives the credit to God, just as Moses did: the LORD delivered Sihon over to Israel (Deuteronomy 2:30-33).
- Psalm 136:17-20 (BSB)“He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. and Og king of Bashan—His loving devotion endures forever.”God strikes down great kings, naming Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan.
- Numbers 21:21-24 (BSB)“Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.”Numbers records Sihon refusing Israel passage, attacking, and being defeated.
- Numbers 21:33-35 (BSB)“Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army came out to meet them in battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land.”Numbers records Og coming out to battle and the LORD delivering him into Israel's hand.
- Deuteronomy 2:30-33 (BSB)“But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day. Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army.”Moses says the LORD Himself delivered Sihon over to Israel.
Theological
Which kings does the recital single out in 136:17-20?
Answer: Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan
The conquest east of the Jordan is represented by two named kings, Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan (136:17-20), whose defeats are narrated in Numbers 21:21-24 and 21:33-35. The psalm ascribes their defeat to God, not to Israel's strength, in line with Moses' own account that the LORD delivered Sihon into Israel's hand after hardening his spirit (Deuteronomy 2:30-33). God's sovereign rule over the kings is the point of the recital here.
- Psalm 136:17-20 (BSB)“He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. and Og king of Bashan—His loving devotion endures forever.”God strikes down great kings, naming Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan.
- Numbers 21:21-24 (BSB)“Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.”Numbers records Sihon refusing Israel passage, attacking, and being defeated.
- Numbers 21:33-35 (BSB)“Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army came out to meet them in battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land.”Numbers records Og coming out to battle and the LORD delivering him into Israel's hand.
- Deuteronomy 2:30-33 (BSB)“But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day. Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army.”Moses says the LORD Himself delivered Sihon over to Israel.
General
True or False: Every one of the 26 verses of Psalm 136 ends with the same line about God's loving devotion.
Answer: True
This is true. Each verse of Psalm 136 ends with the same line: God's loving devotion, His loyal covenant love, lasts forever. Every act the psalm recalls, from creation to the exodus, the conquest, and daily food, is traced back to that unending love. The same words of thanks were used in Israel's worship at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:3) and when the second temple's foundation was laid, sung responsively (Ezra 3:11). Even in the ruins of Jerusalem, Lamentations confesses that God's loving devotion and mercies do not fail (Lamentations 3:22-23).
- Psalm 136:1 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.”The opening verse gives the line that is then repeated in every verse of the psalm.
- 2 Chronicles 7:3 (BSB)“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.””At the dedication of Solomon's temple the people worshiped with the same words of thanks.
- Ezra 3:11 (BSB)“And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.”When the second temple's foundation was laid, the people sang responsively with the same words.
- Lamentations 3:22-23 (BSB)“Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”Lamentations confesses that God's loving devotion and mercies do not fail.
Theological
True or False: The line about God's loving devotion closes each of the 26 verses of Psalm 136.
Answer: True
This is true. The refrain appears in all 26 verses, so that every act recalled, creation, exodus, sea, wilderness, conquest, rescue, and provision, is ascribed to God's everlasting loving devotion. Israel used the same words in temple worship (2 Chronicles 7:3), including responsive singing at the laying of the second temple's foundation (Ezra 3:11). Lamentations holds to the same confession after Jerusalem's fall (Lamentations 3:22-23).
- Psalm 136:1 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.”The opening verse gives the line that is then repeated in every verse of the psalm.
- 2 Chronicles 7:3 (BSB)“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.””At the dedication of Solomon's temple the people worshiped with the same words of thanks.
- Ezra 3:11 (BSB)“And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.”When the second temple's foundation was laid, the people sang responsively with the same words.
- Lamentations 3:22-23 (BSB)“Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”Lamentations confesses that God's loving devotion and mercies do not fail.
General
Which part of Israel's story does the psalm place between the sea and the defeat of the kings?
Answer: God guiding His people across the desert
Right after the sea crossing and before the defeat of the kings, the psalm says in one line that God guided His people across the desert (136:16). Moses told Israel to remember how the LORD led them those forty years (Deuteronomy 8:2) through a vast and dangerous land where He even brought water out of flint (Deuteronomy 8:15). The psalm follows the order of Israel's history: out of Egypt, through the sea, through the desert, and into the land.
- Psalm 136:16 (BSB)“He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.”Between the sea and the conquest, the psalm recalls God leading His people through the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (BSB)“Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”Moses reminds Israel that the LORD led them all forty years in the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 8:15 (BSB)“He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.”Moses recalls the dangers of that wilderness and God's provision of water.
Theological
What stage of the history does 136:16 place between the Red Sea and the conquest?
Answer: God guiding His people across the desert
The wilderness period is compressed into a single line: God guided His people across the desert (136:16). Moses urged Israel to remember the forty years of that guidance, with its humbling and testing (Deuteronomy 8:2), and God's provision in a waterless land (Deuteronomy 8:15). The recital keeps the historical order: exodus, sea, wilderness, conquest.
- Psalm 136:16 (BSB)“He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.”Between the sea and the conquest, the psalm recalls God leading His people through the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (BSB)“Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”Moses reminds Israel that the LORD led them all forty years in the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 8:15 (BSB)“He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.”Moses recalls the dangers of that wilderness and God's provision of water.