ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 136
“Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.”
Psalms 136:1
The psalmist calls the community to give thanks to Yahweh, and this declaration anchors the theme of enduring loving kindness throughout the chapter.
What Psalm 136 is about
The psalmist opens with an invitation to give thanks to Yahweh for His goodness, noting that His loving kindness endures forever (vv. 1-3). He praises God for His creation, stating that He does great wonders. God made the heavens and the earth and created the sun, moon, and stars (vv. 4-9). The psalmist then recalls God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, including striking down the firstborn and leading Israel out with a strong hand (vv. 10-15). He remembers how God divided the Red Sea for Israel to pass through and overthrew Pharaoh (vv. 13-15). Next, he describes how God guided His people through the wilderness and defeated powerful kings like Sihon and Og, giving their lands as an inheritance to Israel (vv. 16-22). Finally, the psalmist declares God's compassion by remembering Israel in their low estate and providing food for every creature (vv. 23-26).
Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loving kindness endures forever.
Psalm 136 at a glance
- Psalm 136:1–3Opening Call to Thanksgiving
- Psalm 136:4–9God's Creation and Wonders
- Psalm 136:10–15Deliverance from Egypt
- Psalm 136:16–22Guidance and Conquest
- Psalm 136:23–26God's Compassion and Provision
Key verse: Psalms 136:1
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 136 (WEB)
Opening Call to Thanksgiving Psalm 136:1–3
1Verse 1. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;for his loving kindness endures forever.2Verse 2. Give thanks to the God of gods;for his loving kindness endures forever.3Verse 3. Give thanks to the Lord of lords;for his loving kindness endures forever:
God's Creation and Wonders Psalm 136:4–9
4Verse 4. To him who alone does great wonders;for his loving kindness endures forever:5Verse 5. To him who by understanding made the heavens;for his loving kindness endures forever:6Verse 6. To him who spread out the earth above the waters;for his loving kindness endures forever:7Verse 7. To him who made the great lights;for his loving kindness endures forever:8Verse 8. The sun to rule by day;for his loving kindness endures forever;9Verse 9. The moon and stars to rule by night;for his loving kindness endures forever:
Deliverance from Egypt Psalm 136:10–15
10Verse 10. To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn;for his loving kindness endures forever;11Verse 11. And brought out Israel from among them;for his loving kindness endures forever;12Verse 12. With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm;for his loving kindness endures forever:13Verse 13. To him who divided the Red Sea apart;for his loving kindness endures forever;14Verse 14. And made Israel to pass through the middle of it;for his loving kindness endures forever;15Verse 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea;for his loving kindness endures forever:
Guidance and Conquest Psalm 136:16–22
16Verse 16. To him who led his people through the wilderness;for his loving kindness endures forever:17Verse 17. To him who struck great kings;for his loving kindness endures forever;18Verse 18. And killed mighty kings;for his loving kindness endures forever:19Verse 19. Sihon king of the Amorites;for his loving kindness endures forever;20Verse 20. Og king of Bashan;for his loving kindness endures forever;21Verse 21. And gave their land as an inheritance;for his loving kindness endures forever;22Verse 22. Even a heritage to Israel his servant;for his loving kindness endures forever:
God's Compassion and Provision Psalm 136:23–26
23Verse 23. Who remembered us in our low estate;for his loving kindness endures forever;24Verse 24. And has delivered us from our adversaries;for his loving kindness endures forever:25Verse 25. Who gives food to every creature;for his loving kindness endures forever.26Verse 26. Oh give thanks to the God of heaven;for his loving kindness endures forever.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 136
God's Steadfast Love
This psalm repeatedly affirms God's 'loving kindness' in every section, particularly in vv. 1-3 and v. 26. The refrain 'for his loving kindness endures forever' serves as a powerful reminder of the unchanging nature of God's love. Throughout the psalm, this steadfast love is connected to various acts of creation and deliverance, indicating that God's character is consistent and dependable.
Thanksgiving
The opening verses of the psalm, particularly vv. 1-3, establish a clear call to give thanks to God. This call is followed by specific reasons for gratitude, such as God's goodness and His role as the 'God of gods' and 'Lord of lords.' Each subsequent section continues this theme, listing various acts of God that elicit thanksgiving from His people.
God's Faithfulness
God's faithfulness is evident in His actions towards Israel, particularly in vv. 10-15, where the text recounts the deliverance from Egypt. The psalm acknowledges God's unwavering support as He struck down Egypt's firstborn and brought Israel out 'with a strong hand.' This faithfulness is further illustrated in vv. 16-22, where God leads His people through the wilderness and grants them victories.
Providence and Deliverance
vv. 10-15 recount Israel's liberation from oppression, detailing how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and guided them through the Red Sea. This section emphasizes God's intervention in significant moments of history. In vv. 23-24, the psalm recalls how God remembered His people in their low estate and delivered them from their adversaries, demonstrating His active role in protecting and providing for His people.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 136 unfolds
Psalm 136:1–3 Opening Call to Thanksgiving
The psalmist calls all to 'give thanks to Yahweh' (v. 1) for his goodness and enduring 'loving kindness' throughout the psalm, addressing 'the God of gods' (v. 2) and 'the Lord of lords' (v. 3).
Psalm 136:4–9 God's Creation and Wonders
These verses recount God's creative acts, stating that he alone does 'great wonders' (v. 4), made the heavens (v. 5), spread the earth (v. 6), and created the sun (v. 8) and moon and stars (v. 9).
Psalm 136:10–15 Deliverance from Egypt
The focus shifts to God's actions against Egypt, mentioning how he 'struck down the Egyptian firstborn' (v. 10), brought Israel out with a 'strong hand' (v. 12), and divided the Red Sea (v. 13) for Israel's escape.
Psalm 136:16–22 Guidance and Conquest
These verses recount God's leadership of Israel through the wilderness (v. 16) and the defeat of powerful kings, including Sihon and Og (vv. 19-20), affirming his role in guiding and granting the land to his people.
Psalm 136:23–26 God's Compassion and Provision
In this closing section, the psalmist acknowledges God's compassion in remembering the lowly (v. 23) and his provision, declaring that he gives food to every creature (v. 25), which rounds out the themes of care and sustenance.
Key verses
Psalms 136:1The psalmist calls the community to give thanks to Yahweh, and this declaration anchors the theme of enduring loving kindness throughout the chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 136
- observeIn v1, what do we learn about Yahweh's character from the phrase 'for his loving kindness endures forever'?
- observeWhat act is described in v13 that shows God's power during the Exodus?
- interpretIn vv. 10-12, how do the actions of God towards Egypt contrast with His care for Israel?
- interpretIn v21, why is it significant that God gave the land as an inheritance to Israel?
- applyWhen have you experienced God's provision in a time of need, as mentioned in v25?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 136
- Genesis 1Psalm 136:5 and Genesis 1:1Both declare God's creation: Psalm 136:5 says he made the heavens, while Genesis 1:1 states God created the heavens and the earth.
- 1 Chronicles 16Psalm 136:1 and 1 Chronicles 16:34Both encourage thanks: Psalm 136:1 proclaims to give thanks for his goodness, while 1 Chronicles 16:34 invites thanks for his goodness.
- Psalm 104Psalm 136:25 and Psalm 104:14Both attest God's provision: Psalm 136:25 states he gives food to every creature, while Psalm 104:14 says he causes grass to grow for livestock.
- Psalm 78Psalm 136:10 and Psalm 78:42Both recount Egypt's judgment: Psalm 136:10 mentions striking down the firstborn, while Psalm 78:42 notes they forgot his redeeming hand.
- Psalm 106Psalm 136:1 and Psalm 106:1Both extol thanks: Psalm 136:1 invokes giving thanks for his goodness, while Psalm 106:1 echoes giving thanks for his goodness.
- Luke 1Psalm 136:1 and Luke 1:50Both celebrate God's mercy: Psalm 136:1 calls to give thanks for his goodness, while Luke 1:50 speaks of mercy for those who fear him.
Related chapters
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Where to go from here
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