Psalms 136:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹד֣וּ
O give thanks
H3034
הוֹד֣וּ
O give thanks
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
1 of 7
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
לַיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֑וֹב
for he is good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
for he is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 118:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.1 Chronicles 16:41And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;1 Chronicles 16:34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 107:1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 20:21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 7:3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Ezra 3:11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.Luke 1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Psalm 136 is a liturgical hymn likely used in Temple worship during the Second Temple period, though it may contain older material. The antiphonal structure (call-and-response) suggests it was sung by Levitical choirs with congregational participation. The psalm recounts salvation history from creation through the Exodus to the conquest of Canaan, teaching theology through Israel's historical experience of God's chesed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God's chesed (loyal covenant love) as eternal and unchanging affect your response to personal difficulties or doubts?
- The refrain is repeated 26 times—what spiritual discipline might God be teaching through such deliberate repetition in worship?
Analysis & Commentary
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good—The psalm opens with a liturgical call to corporate worship. The Hebrew טוֹב (tov) means not merely moral goodness but comprehensive excellence, beauty, and beneficence. This is Yahweh's essential character, not a temporary mood.
For his mercy endureth for ever (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki l'olam chasdo)—The refrain repeated in all 26 verses makes this the "Great Hallel" sung at Passover (the psalm Jesus sang before Gethsemane, Matthew 26:30). Chesed is God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, and unfailing kindness—the very foundation of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. The phrase l'olam means "forever" or "to the age," emphasizing the eternal, unchanging nature of God's faithful love despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness.