Psalms 136:12

12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

Psalms 136:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 136:12

With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm
Exerting his power in a very open manner, and continuing it till he had effected the work; bringing his people out of Egypt, which is always ascribed to his great strength and mighty power, ( Exodus 13:3 Exodus 13:9 ) ( Exodus 15:6 Exodus 15:16 ) ( Exodus 32:11 ) . The redemption of the mystical Israel of God is by a mighty Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; who has redeemed them out of the hands of their enemies, that were stronger than they, and too strong for them: the conversion of them is by the power of the grace of God, even by the exceeding greatness of his power, and yet both acts of grace and mercy;

for his mercy [endureth] for ever;
it was mercy put the Lord on stretching out his arm, and showing the strength of his right hand, in delivering Israel out of Egypt; and in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, ( Isaiah 63:9 ) . It is owing to the tender mercies of our God, and is a performing the mercy promised to the fathers, that Christ, the dayspring from on high, was sent to visit and redeem us, ( Luke 1:68 Luke 1:72 Luke 1:78 ) ; and the regeneration, quickening, and conversion of sinners, are acts of mercy as well as of power, ( Ephesians 2:4 Ephesians 2:5 ) ( 1 Peter 1:3 ) .

Psalms 136:12 In-Context

10 to him who smote the first-born of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.