136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his {a} mercy [endureth] for ever. (a) By this repetition he shows that the least of God's benefits bind us to thanksgiving: but chiefly his mercy, which is principally declared towards his Church. 136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his {b} mercy [endureth] for ever. (b) This was a common kind of thanksgiving, which the whole people used, when they had received any benefit from God, as in 2Ch 7:6,20:21, meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity. 136:11 And {c} brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (c) God's merciful providence toward man appears in all his creatures, but chiefly in that he delivered his Church from the clutches of their enemies. 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a {d} stretched out arm: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (d) In doing such a work as was never done before, nor that any other could do. 136:16 To him which led his people through the {e} wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (e) Where for the space of forty years he showed infinite and most strange wonders. 136:18 And slew {f} famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (f) Declaring by it that no power or authority was so dear to him as the love of his Church. 136:23 Who remembered us in our {g} low estate: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (g) In our greatest affliction and slavery when we looked for nothing less than to have had any help. 136:25 Who giveth food to all {h} flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (h) Seeing that God provides even for the beasts much more has he care over his. 136:26 {i} O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (i) Seeing that all ages have had most plain testimonies of God's benefits. | |