Psalm 136:2

2 Give thanks to the God of gods; for his mercy endures for ever.

Psalm 136:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 136:2

O give thanks unto the God of gods
Not only of the gods of the Gentiles, who are by name and not by nature gods; or of civil magistrates, who are so called, and seem to be designed in the next verse; but the angels, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi. Christ, our Immanuel, is the God of them, the object of their worship and adoration, being their Creator and Preserver, ( Psalms 97:7 ) ( Hebrews 1:6 Hebrews 1:7 ) . So the Heathens say

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 of the Maker of all things, him you may properly call the God of gods, the Supreme and Best; this title Janus has with them ^F19;

for his mercy [endureth] for ever;
in the preservation of those excellent creatures from apostasy, when many of their species fell; and in the continuance and confirmation of them in the state in which they were created; and in making use of them as ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation; and as a guard about them while they live, and at death to convey their souls to heaven.

F18 Hierocles in Carm. Pythagor. p. 10.
F19 Macrob. Saturnal. l. 1. c. 9.

Psalm 136:2 In-Context

1 Give thanks to the Lord: for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods; for his mercy endures for ever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.

4 To him who along has wrought great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever.

5 To him who made the heavens by understanding; for his mercy endures for ever.

6 To him who established the earth on the waters; for his mercy endures for ever.

7 To him who alone made great lights; for his mercy endures for ever.

8 The sun to rule by day; for his mercy endures for ever.

9 The moon and the stars to rule the night; for his mercy endures for ever.

10 To him who smote Egypt with their first-born; for his mercy endures for ever.

11 And brought Israel out of the midst of them; for his mercy endures for ever:

12 with a strong hand, and a high arm: for his mercy endures for ever.

13 To him who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever:

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it: for his mercy endures for ever:

15 and overthrew Pharao and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endures for ever.

16 To him who led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever.

17 To him who smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever:

18 and slew mighty kings; for his mercy endures for ever:

19 Seon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever:

20 and Og king of Basan: for his mercy endures for ever:

21 and gave their land for an inheritance: for his mercy endures for ever:

22 even an inheritance to Israel his servant: for his mercy endures for ever.

23 For the Lord remembered us in our low estate; for his mercy endures for ever:

24 and redeemed us from our enemies; for his mercy endures for ever.

25 Who gives food to all flesh; for his mercy endures for ever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven; for his mercy endures for ever.