Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 136:6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] forever.
6. O give thanks unto him that gathereth the outcasts of Israel (Psa 147:2 b; cp. Isa 11:12; Isa 56:8), for &c.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
6. that spread forth the earth upon the waters ] Cp. Psa 135:6, note; Isa 42:5; Isa 44:24; Psa 24:2.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters – Gen 1:1, Gen 1:9; see the notes at Psa 24:2.
For his mercy … – As an illustration of his benignity and kindness in preparing an abode for man, and for other creatures in the world. Whatever there is of life or happiness, on the continents and islands, has resulted from that act of God when he made the dry land appear.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Stretched out the earth above the waters] Or, upon the waters. This seems to refer to a central abyss of waters, the existence of which has not been yet disproved.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Stretched out the earth above the waters; of which See Poole “Gen 1:9“; See Poole “Psa 24:2“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
To him that stretcheth out the earth above the waters,…. Or, “besides the waters” t, close by them, and yet secures the earth from being covered with them; see Ps 24:2;
for his mercy [endureth] for ever; it was in mercy he caused the waters to go off the earth which first covered it; that trees, plants, and herbs, might spring up out of it, and that it might be a fit habitation for man; and though for the sins of the old world these waters were let in upon it, which drowned it, and destroyed man and beast upon it, except a few that were in mercy preserved; yet the Lord has promised and swore to it, that these waters shall no more go over the earth to destroy it; he has set a bound for the sea that it cannot pass, by a decree of his; even the sand on the shore, which, as weak as it may seem to be, is a bound unpassable; though they may toss and rage and roar, they shall not prevail, nor pass over it, which is a perpetual miracle of mercy, Jer 5:22.
t “juxta aquas”, Tirinus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) While this section in many points recalls the account of creation in Genesis, it employs terms from other parts of Scripture.
Stretched out.A word and idea peculiar to Isaiah and this psalm (Isa. 42:5; Isa. 44:24); properly to beat out with the feet, then to overlay with a plate of metal (Isa. 40:12). The earth is regarded as a flat plate that has been beaten out and spread on the face of the waters, whereas in Genesis it is pictured as emerging out of the waters.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Stretched out the earth above the waters Another instance wherein external nature is described, not scientifically, but popularly, as it appears to the senses. So the scriptures speak of the sun’s rising and going down; and so philosophers themselves still speak, despite the philosophical absurdity of the expression. Psa 136:6-9 follow the record of Gen 1:8.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
Ver. 6. To him that stretched out the earth, &c. ] A perpetual mercy to all earthly creatures, as is elsewhere set forth, Gen 1:9 Psa 24:2 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
above. i.e. in Gen 1:1, and 2Pe 3:5. By the overthrow of Gen 1:2 the earth became a ruin, being “overflowed” (2Pe 3:6), and covered with “the deep” (Gen 1:2).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 24:2, Psa 104:2, Psa 104:3, Gen 1:9, Job 26:7, Job 37:18, Isa 40:22, Isa 44:24, Jer 10:12, Zec 12:1, 2Pe 3:5-7
Reciprocal: Gen 1:6 – Let there 2Ch 2:12 – that made heaven Psa 104:5 – Who laid the foundations of the earth Psa 146:6 – made heaven Isa 42:5 – he that spread
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his {b} mercy [endureth] for ever.
(b) This was a common kind of thanksgiving, which the whole people used, when they had received any benefit from God, as in 2Ch 7:6; 2Ch 20:21, meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity.