Psalms 136:8

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 ()....

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....

THE SUN TO RULE BY DAY - Genesis 1:16. Margin, as in Hebrew, for the ruling of the day. That is, to control, as it were, the day; to determine its length - its beginning - its ending - to make it what it is. FOR HIS MERCY ... - By all the blessings of day as distinguished from night and darkness - by all that the sun in his daily course does to diffuse life, joy, peace, comfort, happiness on the earth - by all that are warmed by its beams, cheered by its light, guided in labor, guarded from dangers - do we derive an argument for the mercy of God; by all this there is laid a foundation for his praise....

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,

THE SUN TO RULE BY DAY,.... Which is the greater light, Genesis 1:16; FOR HIS MERCY [ENDURETH] FOR EVER: this great light, so beneficial to the earth and the inhabitants of it, which was made near six thousand years ago, still continues, and will to the end of time; enlightening the world, warming the air and earth, imparting its light and heat to all creatures on it, and influencing the earth to bring forth a variety of things for the use and delight of mankind, called "the precious things [brought] forth by the sun", Deuteronomy 33:14; an emblem of a more beneficial light, in which the rich grace and mercy of God appear, and for which we have reason to give thanks; even the sun of righteousness, the Messiah, the light of the world, the author of the light of nature, grace, and g

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....

TO RULE. to have dominion. Genesis 1:16....

Jehovah the Creator....