Psalms 136 - Arno Geneva Study Bible

O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his (a) mercy [endureth] for ever.

(a) By this repetition he shows that the least of God's benefits bind us to thanksgiving: but chiefly his mercy, which is principally declared towards his Church.

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his (b) mercy [endureth] for ever.

(b) This was a common kind of thanksgiving, which the whole people used, when they had received any benefit from God, as in (2 Chronicles 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:21), meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity.

And (c) brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

(c) God's merciful providence toward man appears in all his creatures, but chiefly in that he delivered his Church from the clutches of their enemies.

With a strong hand, and with a (d) stretched out arm: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(d) In doing such a work as was never done before, nor that any other could do.

To him which led his people through the (e) wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(e) Where for the space of forty years he showed infinite and most strange wonders.

And slew (f) famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

(f) Declaring by it that no power or authority was so dear to him as the love of his Church.

Who remembered us in our (g) low estate: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

(g) In our greatest affliction and slavery when we looked for nothing less than to have had any help.

Who giveth food to all (h) flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(h) Seeing that God provides even for the beasts much more has he care over his.

(i) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(i) Seeing that all ages have had most plain testimonies of God's benefits.