136:1 mercy endureth for ever. Each of the twenty-six verses of this unique psalm ends with the great assertion: “for His mercy endureth for ever.” It was evidently sung as an antiphonal chorus in response to the recitation of the mighty works of the Creator, both in creation and in redemption of His people.

136:2 God of gods. Both “God” and “gods” are translations of Elohim in the Hebrew. In Psalm 136:3, both “Lord” and “lords” are translations of Adonai. In Psalm 136:1, “LORD” is Jehovah, or Yahweh.

136:7 made great lights. The question has occasionally been raised as to the nature of the two “great lights” of Genesis 1:16. Psalm 136:8-9 makes it definite that these were, indeed, the sun and moon.

136:15 Pharaoh and his host. The account of this great event as written by Moses just says that the returning waters of the Red Sea covered “all the host of Pharaoh” (Exodus 14:28). This verse assures us that Pharaoh himself was destroyed with his army.

136:26 endureth for ever. Not only does God’s mercy endure forever, but so do His judgments (Psalm 119:160), His truth (Psalm 117:2), and His name (Psalm 135:13).