Psalms 136

Psalms 136:1

the LORD. Hebrew Jehovah App-4. For, &c. Figures of Speech. Amoebaeon and Epistrophe. App-6.

mercy = loving-kindness, or grace.

Psalms 136:2

O give thanks. Note the Figures of speech Coenotes and Anaphora (App-6) in verses: Psalms 136:1, Psalms 136:2, Psalms 136:3.

God of gods. Hebrew. Elohim.of the elohim. App-4.

gods. Hebrew. ’elohim. See note on Psalms 135:5 and Exodus 22:9.

Psalms 136:3

LORD of lords. Hebrew Adonim of the adonim. App-4. Compare Deuteronomy 10:17.

Psalms 136:5

made the heavens. Compare Genesis 1:1.

Psalms 136:6

above. i.e. in Genesis 1:1, and 2 Peter 3:5. By the overthrow of Gen 1:2 the earth became a ruin, being “overflowed” (2 Peter 3:6), and covered with “the deep” (Genesis 1:2).

Psalms 136:7

great lights. Genesis 1:14, “lightholders”.

Psalms 136:8

to rule = to have dominion. Genesis 1:16-18.

Psalms 136:10

smote Egypt. Compare Exodus 12:29.

Psalms 136:11

brought out Israel. Compare Exodus 13:17.

Psalms 136:12

hand . . . arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6).

Psalms 136:15

overthrew = shook off.

Psalms 136:19

Sihon, &c. These two verses (verses: Psalms 136:19, Psalms 136:20) not an “interpolation”. See note above.

Psalms 136:21

their: i.e. Sihon’s and Og’s. Not a verse “clearly dropped out”, which contained the noun for this pronoun. The kings named show “whose” land is referred to. An “interpolation” from which a verse has “dropped out” is a new idea in the field of imaginative criticism; and, if true, would be quite unworthy of a “commentator’s” time and trouble.

Psalms 136:24

redeemed = rescued. Hebrew. parak = to break. Thus to rescue, by breaking the bonds. Rendered “redeem” only here (and Daniel 4:27 in the Vulgate versions: Authorized Version “break off”).

enemies = adversaries.

Psalms 136:25

food. Hebrew = bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species) for all kinds of food.

flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for all living beings. App-6.

Psalms 136:26

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23.