Psalm 136

This psalm is the "Great Hallel"that the Israelites sang at Passover when they celebrated the Exodus. The other hallelpsalms are 113-118. This psalm is unique because it repeats the same refrain in each verse. The Israelites probably sang this song antiphonally with the leaders singing the first part of each verse and the people responding with the refrain. The content and basic structure are similar to Psalm 135. With this song the Israelites praised God for His great acts and His loyal love that endures forever.

 1. Invitation to thank God 136:1-3

The psalmist called on the people to give thanks to God three times. The refrain here and throughout the psalm explains the reason for praising Him. The repetition of the refrain in each verse serves to cause the reader to applaud every divine act that the writer mentioned.²⁰⁴

 2. Subjects for thanksgiving 136:4-25

136:4-9 Verse 4 expresses the theme of this thanksgiving, namely God's wonderful acts. Then the psalmist mentioned specific acts. Verses 5-9 describe aspects of God's work in creating the world.

136:10-25 God's acts in this section of verses relate to His care for Israel. He humbled the Egyptians, brought His people out of Egypt in the Exodus, and led them through the Red Sea (vv. 10-15). He then defeated the Canaanite kings and gave their land to the Israelites (vv. 16-22). In summary, God remembered His people and rescued them from their adversaries (vv. 23-24). Finally He provides food for all living creatures (v. 25).

 3. Reminder to thank God 136:26

This concluding exhortation contains a title for God unique in the Psalter. It highlights His sovereignty and was a favorite of the postexilic community (2 Chron. 36:23; Ezra 2:1; 5:11-12; 6:9-10; 7:12, 21, 23 [twice]; Neh. 1:4-5; 2:4, 20; Dan. 2:18-19, 28, 37, 44). Its occurrence here suggests a postexilic origin of this psalm though is does occur three times in pre-exilic writings (Gen. 24:3, 7; Jonah 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.