Psalms 136:5

To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. TO HIM THAT BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS - (; ; .) Not merely power, but wisdom infinite was needed for the marvelous contrivances and adaptations of means to ends throughout the beautifully ordered system (kosmos) of the universe....

1-9 Forgetful as we are, things must be often repeated to us. By "mercy" we understand the Lord's disposition to save those whom sin has rendered miserable and vile, and all the provision he has made for the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ. The counsels of this mercy have been from everlasting, and the effects of it will endure for ever, to all who are interested in it. The Lord continues equally ready to show mercy to all who seek for it, and this is the source of all our hope and comfort....

Verse Psalms 136:5. _BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS_] In the contrivance of the celestial bodies, in their relations, connexions, influences on each other, revolutions, c., the wisdom of God particularly appears....

TO HIM THAT BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS - Made them in so wise a manner; where so much wisdom was manifested. See Proverbs 3:19; Proverbs 8:24. FOR HIS MERCY ... - The making of the heavens was a manifestation of mercy and goodness as furnishing an abode for unfallen and holy beings; as a dwelling-place for redeemed sinners when they shall be removed there from the earth; and as, by their order, their beauty, their harmony, and their happy influences, tending to promote the happiness of man on earth....

EXPOSITION A PSALM with a familiar refrain (comp. Psalms 118:1, Psa 118:29; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Ezra 3:11) at the end of each line. In the main Psalms 134:1; follows the line of Psalms 135:1, calling upon Israel to praise God, and basing the call upon his glorious manifestations of himself in nature (Psalms 135:5) and history (veto. 10-24), repeating in the latter case the very same facts. Metrically, the psalm is arranged,

TO HIM THAT BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS,.... In such a curious manner, in such a proper and delightful situation, with such furniture, and for such uses, Proverbs 3:19; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; which appears in the continued influences of the heaven; the dew, rain, and snow, that descend from it on the earth to water and make it fruitful, and to produce those rich and valuable blessings called the "precious things of heaven", Deuteronomy 33:13; and which are of the utmost importance for the service of man and beast: and, besides, God has of his infinite mercy, which continues, provided an inheritance in the heavens, a house eternal in the heavens, mansions of bliss and glory there, which Christ is now preparing for his saints, that they may dwell with him

When the chorus was taken up by the whole of the people, accompanied by a blast of trumpets, this must have been a magnificent hymn of praise. Psalms 136:1. _O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever._ The Psalm begins with the august name, the incommunicable title of the one living and true God, Jah, Jehovah. For this name the Jews had a high respect, which degenerated into superstition, for they would not write it in their Bibles, and put another word instead, in which our translators have imitated them, not to the improvement of the version. Surely, if it is «Jehovah» in the original, we should have it «Jehovah» here. The name is a very wonderful one,» Je-ho-vah.» No man knows exactly how it should be pronounced; it is said to consist of a succession of breathings, therefore is it written, «Let every thing that hath breath pra

Psalms 136 His Mercy Endureth Forever This is a historical Psalm of praise, as His grateful people Israel think of all He has done. Twenty-six times we read “His mercy endureth forever.” The Psalm begins with a threefold call to give thanks unto the Lord, the God of gods, and the Lord of lords; the triune God is thus adored. And after this the brief sentences which rehearse His mighty deeds of the past as Creator and as the God of Israel, are followed by the praise of His mercy. This Psalm was undoubtedly used in the Temple worship. The Jews in their ritual call it “the great Hallel.” It will probably be used in the future, when in the new temple Israel will sing the praises of His Name....

CXXXVI. A LONG HYMN OF PRAISE FOR YAHWEH'S POWER AND HIS CARE OF HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPT TILL THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN. Psalms 136:1 based on Genesis 1. Yahweh the Maker of all. Psalms 136:6. For the waters below the earth, see on Psalms 24:2. PSALMS 136:10. Yahweh's vengeance on Pharaoh and the kings who opposed Israel's entrance into the promised land. His mercy to Israel in later days. PSALMS 136:23. Gratitude for recent deliverance....

MADE THE HEAVENS. Compare Genesis 1:1....