Psalms 136:12
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Original Language Analysis
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
H3027
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חֲ֭זָקָה
With a strong
H2389
חֲ֭זָקָה
With a strong
Strong's:
H2389
Word #:
2 of 7
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ
arm
H2220
וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ
arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
3 of 7
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
נְטוּיָ֑ה
and with a stretched out
H5186
נְטוּיָ֑ה
and with a stretched out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
4 of 7
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
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
Jeremiah 32:21And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;Deuteronomy 4:34Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?Exodus 6:6Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Historical Context
Psalm 136, the Great Hallel, recounts salvation from creation through providence. Sung at Passover and festivals with antiphonal structure (cantor and congregation), it trained Israel to see history through the lens of God's enduring mercy. Every generation learned their identity through this recitation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does repeatedly saying "his mercy endures forever" after each historical event transform your perspective?
- What events in your life can you recount with the refrain "for his mercy endures forever"?
- How does this psalm challenge viewing history as random versus providentially unfolding divine faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endure...—Strong hand, outstretched arm - divine power in salvation. For his mercy endureth for ever (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki le-olam chasdo). This refrain, repeated 26 times, transforms history into worship. Each event becomes evidence of God's eternal chesed (steadfast covenant love). The psalm teaches that recounting salvation history should evoke gratitude, showing God's character remains unchanging.