Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 136:26
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] forever.
26. the God of heaven ] A late title, occurring here only in the Psalter. It is found in Ezr 1:2, &c.; Neh 1:4; Neh 2:4; 2Ch 36:23; Jon 1:9; Dan 2:18, &c. Cp. Rev 11:13; Rev 16:11.
The P.B.V. adds “O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” This repetition of Psa 136:3 is taken from the Gallican Psalter, but is not found in any extant MS of the LXX.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
O give thanks unto the God of heaven – The God who reigns in heaven; whose home is heaven.
For his mercy … – In view of all this – of all that he does in heaven and on earth – let praise be ascribed to him. To know the measure of the praise due to him; to see how great is his mercy, it would be necessary to know all that he does in heaven and on earth. That will not be known here. It will constitute the theme of contemplation and praise forever and ever. Enough, however, is known here to show the propriety of repeating again, again, and again, as in this psalm, the language, For his mercy endureth forever; For his mercy endureth forever; For his mercy endureth forever.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
26. God of heavenoccurs butonce (Jon 1:9) before thecaptivity. It is used by the later writers as speciallydistinguishing God from idols.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
O give thanks unto the God of heaven,…. the Maker of it, in which the glory of his wisdom and power is displayed; the possessor of it, where he dwells, has his throne, and keeps his court; from whence all blessings, temporal and spiritual, come and where he has prepared glory and happiness for his people hereafter, a house eternal in the heavens, an inheritance reserved there, a better and a more enduring substance;
for his mercy [endureth] for ever; for though the above character is expressive of his sovereignty and dominion, yet he exercises it in a way of grace and mercy to the sons of men; and therefore they have reason to give thanks unto him and praise him for his kindness and favours shown to them on earth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(26) God of heaven.See Neh. 1:4; Neh. 2:4. This title, though implied in Psa. 11:4 and similar passages, was not used before the exile. Away from Zion and the visible token of the Divine presence, the hearts of the faithful began more and more to dream of their God as
One that His mansion hath on high
Above the reach of mortal eye.
At the end the Vulgate repeats Psa. 136:3. (See Prayer Book.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 728
A CALL TO ADORE GOD FOR HIS MERCY
Psa 136:26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
PRAISE is the employment of heaven: and praise should be the employment of earth also. Rejoice evermore, is a special command of God: and to express our joy in praises and thanksgivings is equally commanded: In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. The calls which are given us in the Psalms to the performance of this duty are very numerous: but in none more urgent than in the psalm before us. The particular object here proposed as the subject of our thanksgivings, is the mercy of God, which we are here called upon to contemplate and adore.
Let us then, in compliance with the Psalmists exhortation, endeavour,
I.
To contemplate it
Two things in particular respecting it we would propose to your consideration:
1.
Its unbounded extent
[The Psalmist, after speaking of mercy as constituting one of the most glorious perfections of the Deity [Note: ver. 1.], notices the manifestations of it which we behold in all the wonders of creation [Note: ver. 59.], and providence [Note: ver. 1022.], and redemption [Note: ver. 23, 24.]. Whilst we acknowledge the hand of God in these things, we are but too apt to overlook his mercy as displayed in them. But on this we should principally fix our attention, as being most calculated to inflame our love and gratitude towards our heavenly Benefactor. Contemplate then the benefits which you receive from the sun, and moon, and stars, and from the infinitely diversified productions of this terraqueous globe Then behold all the interpositions of God in behalf of his people Israel, and see in them what he is yet daily performing both for the bodies and souls of all who trust in him Then, in the temporal redemptions vouchsafed to Israel under their most desperate and degraded states, behold the redemption of our souls from sin and Satan, death and hell, through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ Here are subjects of contemplation which might well occupy the mind of the highest archangel, and which therefore deserve our most serious attention.
But we would more particularly recommend to every one to consider the mercies which he himself has received: we would have every one trace them from his earliest infancy to the present moment: and, in reference to those interpositions of the Deity which appear to have been more conspicuous, we would recommend that they be inspected with peculiar care, entering minutely into all the particulars of each, and viewing in each distinct particular the transcendent mercy of God. Let the psalm before us be particularly noticed in this view as a pattern [Note: ver. 922.]. When we take only a superficial view of things in the general, we remain unaffected by them: it is by entering into them in the detail, and dwelling on the minutest particulars, that we get our hearts properly affected by them. This therefore we would most earnestly recommend to all who would obtain a due sense of the mercies conferred upon them.
But we must not imagine that the dispensations which have been pleasing to flesh and blood have been our only mercies; for amongst our severest trials will be found, for the most part, our richest mercies. The successive trials of Joseph were of the most painful nature: yet they were all mercies in disguise. If we descend to more trifling incidents, such as Balaams ass proving restive, and crushing his foot against a wall, and afterwards falling with him, they, as we know, were the very means by which his life was saved [Note: Num 33:22-33.]. Thus the things which grieve and irritate us at the time may be the most merciful dispensations that we could possibly have received: and we ought to receive them as expressions of Gods love [Note: Heb 12:6.], sent to promote our good in this world [Note: Rom 8:28.], and to work for us an augmented weight of glory in the world to come [Note: 2Co 4:17-18.]. Even the darkness and temptations with which our souls may be oppressed, must also be numbered among the means which God in his infinite mercy makes use of for the humbling and quickening, the sanctifying and saving, of our souls [Note: Isa 27:8-9 and Hos 5:15 and Psa 25:10.] ]
2.
Its everlasting duration
[See how the mercy of God wrought in all the days of old, even from the foundation of the world! Precisely in the same manner it still operates, and shall ever continue to operate, towards all who fear his name [Note: Psa 103:17.] God will not withdraw it from those who are united unto Christ by faith [Note: Psa 89:28-36.] He may hide his face from them for a season; but with everlasting mercies will he gather them [Note: Isa 54:7-10.] The repetition of this truth twenty-six times in as many verses is a very sufficient pledge to us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance [Note: Rom 11:29.], and that whom he loveth, he loveth to the end [Note: Joh 13:1.].]
Having contemplated, though so imperfectly, the mercy of our God, we now call upon you,
II.
To adore it
A tribute of praise and thanksgiving for such mercy is the least that can be demanded of us. And well may it be demanded; for,
1.
It is due from us
[Can we conceive, that, after all the mercies vouchsafed unto us, no return is required? Are we to be as stupid and insensible as beasts? Is this a state that becomes persons who have been redeemed by the blood of Gods only dear Son?
Perhaps it will be said by some, I have not yet obtained an interest in Christ: how then can I render thanks for what I have never received? To this we reply, Have you no temporal mercies for which to give thanks? and, if you are not yet partakers of spiritual mercies, have you no reason to thank God for the offer of them, and for not having been yet visited with the judgments which you have so richly merited? Think what is the state of millions who have not committed either more or greater sins than you; and what might at this moment have been your state also, if God in his infinite mercy had not spared you; and given you space for repentance? Do but think of this, and you will want no further incentive to gratitude and thanksgiving. But think also of the offers of salvation now made to you, a salvation free, and full, and everlasting: O! what thanks does this call for at your hands! What if one such offer were now made to those who are shut up under chains of everlasting darkness and despair; would no thanks be expressed by them? I call upon you then to give thanks unto the God of heaven, who yet waiteth to be gracious unto you, and whose long-suffering you should account to be salvation.]
2.
It is pleasing and acceptable to God
[The acknowledgment so often repeated in the psalm before us has received more striking tokens of Gods approbation than any other that was ever uttered by mortal man: David, knowing how acceptable it would be to God, appointed officers for the express purpose of repeating it in the service of the tabernacle [Note: 1Ch 16:41.]. And, when Solomon had brought the ark of God into the sanctuary that he had prepared for it, and the priests were singing the praises of God in the very words of our text, at that moment, I say, did God descend into the sanctuary, so that the priests could no longer stand to minister there by reason of the overwhelming presence of the Divine glory [Note: 2Ch 5:13.]. Another and no less remarkable testimony of Gods approbation was that which was given to Jehoshaphats use of these words at the time that he was going forth against three confederate armies: at the very instant that the priests began to utter this acknowledgment, God set the three confederate armies against each other, and stirred them up to kill one another; till they were utterly destroyed, without any conflict on the part of Israel [Note: 2Ch 20:21-23.]. What greater proof can we have of the delight which God feels in the exercise of mercy, and in commending it to the admiration of the whole universe? Begin then this song: continue this song throughout the day: let every fresh occurrence call forth freeh acknowledgments of the mercy of your God: and rest assured, that the more you abound in these expressions of your gratitude, the richer displays you shall have of the Divine glory, and the more entire victory over all your spiritual enemies.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
The Psalm sweetly ends as it began: Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above. It is God that worketh in us, both to will, and to do of his good pleasure. And therefore we may find cause to give thanks to our God in Christ, and join the song, for his mercy endureth forever!
REFLECTIONS
READER! in going over this Psalm, which is a beautiful repetition of the former, I hope that both your heart and mine have been led out to see, that on every side causes are perpetually arising, to call up the voice of thanksgiving, and to lead the soul to God in Christ with hymns and anthems every hour. Say, Reader! can you adopt the chorus as your own? Doth the Lord’s mercy endure forever? Did Jesus remember you in your low estate? Hath Jesus manifested himself in a way of grace? and do you know him as your Alpha and Omega, your hope and portion forever? It is truly blessed thus to see our mercies, that the soul may be kept alive to the remembrance of them, so as to call up love and adoration to the great Author of our mercies forever. May a gracious God in Christ, who hath afforded so many and such unceasing causes to praise him, give us also the grace of his Holy Spirit to acknowledge his goodness in bestowing such unmerited tokens of love, that all hearts may join the universal song, and say with the church, Who remembered us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth forever. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
Ver. 26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven ] His mercy in providing heaven for his people is more than all the rest.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.
GOD of heaven. See note on 2Ch 36:23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the God of heaven: Psa 136:1-3, Psa 115:3, Psa 123:1, Jon 1:9, Rev 11:13
Reciprocal: Rev 16:11 – the God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
136:26 {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.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
3. Reminder to thank God 136:26
This concluding exhortation contains a title for God unique in the Psalter: the God of heaven. It highlights His sovereignty and was a favorite of the postexilic community (2Ch 36:23; Ezr 2:1; Ezr 5:11-12; Ezr 6:9-10; Ezr 7:12; Ezr 7:21; Ezr 7:23 [twice]; Neh 1:4-5; Neh 2:4; Neh 2:20; Dan 2:18-19; Dan 2:28; Dan 2:37; Dan 2:44). Its occurrence here suggests a postexilic origin of this psalm, though it does occur three times in pre-exilic writings (Gen 24:3; Gen 24:7; Jon 1:9).
God’s people should praise Him publicly by reviewing His great acts that prove His loyal love for them. This should be a part of their corporate worship experience.