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Meaning, commentary and cross references

Psalms 136:1

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalms 136:1 (ESV)

In other translations

  • KJV · King James Version

    O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

  • NIV · New International Version

    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

  • WEB · World English Bible

    Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

What does Psalms 136:1 mean?

John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 136:1

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good,.... In himself, and to all his creatures; and especially to his chosen people, who therefore should give thanks to him daily in the name of Christ, for all blessings temporal and spiritual, in faith and fervency, and in the sincerity of their souls, with their whole heart; for his mercy endureth for ever; it is the same with his love, which is from everlasting to everlasting; and continues notwithstanding the sins of his people, the hidings of his face from them, and his chastisements of them; the covenant which is founded on mercy, and all the blessings of it, which are the sure mercies of David, last for ever; and hence the vessels of mercy…

John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 136:1–9

(1.) We must give thanks to God for his goodness and mercy (Psa 136:1): Give thanks to the Lord, not only because he does good, but because he is good (all the streams must be traced up to the fountain), not only because he is merciful to us, but because his mercy endures for ever, and will be drawn out to those that shall come after us. We must give thanks to God, not only for that mercy which is now handed out to us here on earth, but for that which shall endure for ever in the glories and joys of heaven. (2.)

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 136:1–9

1. For his mercy, [172] etc. The insertion of this clause again and again in so many short and abrupt sentences, may seem a vain repetition, but verses repeated by way of chorus are both allowed and admired in profane poets, and why should we object to the reiteration in this instance, for which the best reasons can be shown, Men may not deny the divine goodness to be the source and Fountain of all their blessings, but the graciousness of his bounty is far from being fully and sincerely recognised, though the greatest stress is laid upon it in Scripture. Paul in speaking of it, (Romans 3:23,) calls it emphatically by the general term of the glory of God, intimating, that while God should be…

John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Read all commentary in the reader

Context: Psalms 136:1–4 (WEB)

1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 2Give thanks to the God of gods, for his loving kindness endures forever. 3Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his loving kindness endures forever; 4to him who alone does great wonders, for his loving kindness endures forever;

Read all of Psalms 136

Cross references

  • 1 Chronicles 16:34

    Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

  • Psalms 118:1
  • 1 Chronicles 16:41

    and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his loving kindness endures forever;

  • Psalms 106:1
  • Psalms 107:1
  • 2 Chronicles 20:21

    When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and give praise in holy array as they go out before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his loving kindness endures forever.”

  • Ezra 3:11

    They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the LORD’s house had been laid.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3

    All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the LORD’s glory was on the house. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, worshiped, and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!”

Key words

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