Psalms 136:7

To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: TO HIM THAT MADE GREAT LIGHTS ... THE SUN TO RULE BY DAY ... THE MOON AND STARS TO RULE BY NIGHT - i:e., in relation to this earth and the wants of man, the sun is the predominant light by day, the moon and stars by night. When the sun is seen the moon and stars disappear, and vice versa ()....

7._Who made the great lights, etc_. — Moses calls the sun and moon the two great lights, and there is little doubt that the Psalmist here borrows the same phraseology. What is immediately added about the stars, is, as it were, accessory to the others. It is true, that the other planets are larger than the moon, but it is stated as second in order on account of its visible effects. The Holy Spirit had no intention to teach astronomy; and, in proposing instruction meant to be common to the simplest and most uneducated persons, he made use by Moses and the other Prophets of popular language, that none might shelter himself under the pretext of obscurity, as we will see men sometimes very readily pretended an incapacity to understand, when anything deep or recondite is submitted to their notice. Accordingly, as Saturn though bigger than the moon is not so to the eye owing to his greater dist...

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 136:7. _GREAT LIGHTS_] See the notes on the parallel passages in _Genesis_, c. Genesis 1:14-1...

TO HIM THAT MADE GREAT LIGHTS - Genesis 1:14. The sun and the moon are here particularly referred to. FOR HIS MERCY ... - As manifested in all that has followed from the creation and diffusion of light - (all the beauty in the universe as seen; all the life, beauty, and vigor in the vegetable and animal world; all that there is of life and happiness in the universe - for there could be neither if darkness reigned everywhere); light, the emblem of happiness; the source of joy; the producer, in a great measure, of the beauties of the universe, and the revealer of those beauties everywhere. How can a man think of light and not praise its Author?...

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 MADE GREAT LIGHTS,.... For the inhabitants of the world to walk and work by, to do all the business of life in a comfortable manner; and which is an instance of mercy and goodness; see Genesis 1:14; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER; these lights continuing for the benefit of mankind....

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....