Psalms 136:6

6 to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever;

Psalms 136:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 136:6

To him that stretcheth out the earth above the waters
Or, "besides the waters" F20, close by them, and yet secures the earth from being covered with them; see ( Psalms 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, ( Jeremiah 5:22 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Mymh le) "juxta aquas", Tirinus, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 136:6 In-Context

4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
6 to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, 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.