Psalm 136
Theme
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Outline
1-3, Praise 4-9, For Creation 10-16, For the Exodus, Red Sea, and Wilderness 17-22, For the Conquest 23-25, For Present Deliverance 26, Praise
Key Verse
(136:1) Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Notes
Psalm 136 is a structurally parallel poem characterized by a recurring refrain, “for to the age his lovingkindness,” at the end of each of its twenty-six verses. It begins by praising Yahweh's character and moves through various themes: His supremacy over powers, creation, the exodus from Egypt, wilderness preservation, conquest, and contemporary deliverance. The psalm is organized into thought units, often in three-verse segments, starting with a command to praise Yahweh. Each section highlights different aspects of God's actions, culminating in a personal acknowledgment of His help in the present. The thematic structure forms a chiasm, emphasizing praise and God's enduring love throughout history, ultimately calling for praise to the God of heaven. The psalmist's grammatical choices enhance the flow and connection between ideas, reinforcing the message of divine steadfast love.