Psalm 136
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Psalm 136 is the 136th psalm of the
Book of Psalms The Book of Psalms ( or ; he, תְּהִלִּים, , lit. "praises"), also known as the Psalms, or the Psalter, is the first book of the ("Writings"), the third section of the Tanakh, and a book of the Old Testament. The title is derived ...
, beginning in English in the
King James Version The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by sponsorship of K ...
: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the
Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
'' Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
Old Testament The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek
Septuagint The Greek Old Testament, or Septuagint (, ; from the la, septuaginta, lit=seventy; often abbreviated ''70''; in Roman numerals, LXX), is the earliest extant Greek translation of books from the Hebrew Bible. It includes several books beyond t ...
and Latin
Vulgate The Vulgate (; also called (Bible in common tongue), ) is a late-4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. The Vulgate is largely the work of Jerome who, in 382, had been commissioned by Pope Damasus I to revise the Gospels u ...
translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 135. In Latin, it is known by the
incipit The incipit () of a text is the first few words of the text, employed as an identifying label. In a musical composition, an incipit is an initial sequence of notes, having the same purpose. The word ''incipit'' comes from Latin and means "it b ...
, "". It is sometimes referred to as "The Great
Hallel Hallel ( he, הַלֵּל, "Praise") is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving. Holy days Hallel consists of six Psalms (113–118), which ...
". The
Jerusalem Bible ''The Jerusalem Bible'' (JB or TJB) is an English translation of the Bible published in 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd. As a Catholic Bible, it includes 73 books: the 39 books shared with the Hebrew Bible, along with the seven deuterocanonica ...
calls it a "Litany of Thanksgiving". It is notable for the refrain which forms the second half of each verse,Kirkpatrick, A.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
on Psalm 136, accessed 22 June 2022 translated as "For His mercy endures forever" in the
New King James Version The New King James Version (NKJV) is an English translation of the Bible. The complete NKJV Bible was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson, now HarperCollins. The NKJV is described by Thomas Nelson as being "scrupulously faithful to the origin ...
, or "for his steadfast love endures for ever" in the
Revised Standard Version The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is an English translation of the Bible published in 1952 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. This translation itself is a revision of the Amer ...
. Psalm 136 is used in both Jewish and Christian liturgies. It has been paraphrased in hymns, and was set to music.


Text


Hebrew Bible version

The following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 136:


King James Version

# O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. # O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. # O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: # The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: # The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: # With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: # But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. # To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: # Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: # Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. # Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: # And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. # Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. # O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.


Structure

The psalm is arranged in well marked groups of three verses to the end of verse 18, after which follow two groups of four verses.


Uses


Judaism

The term Great
Hallel Hallel ( he, הַלֵּל, "Praise") is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving. Holy days Hallel consists of six Psalms (113–118), which ...
(), meaning "great praise", is used to refer to Psalm 136. It is called "great" to differentiate it from the
Egyptian Hallel Hallel ( he, הַלֵּל, "Praise") is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving. Holy days Hallel consists of six Psalms (113–118), which a ...
, another prayer of praise comprising psalms 113 to 118. In the Talmud, opinions vary whether Great Hallel includes only Psalm 136, or else chapters 135-136, or else chapters 134-136; the accepted opinion is that it only includes 136. * The Hebrew text of the Book of Ecclesiasticus contains a hymn of thanksgiving inserted after Ecclesiasticus 51:12 which is "an obvious imitation" of this psalm, see in the New American Bible Revised Edition. * This psalm is recited in its entirety during the Pesukei Dezimra on
Shabbat Shabbat (, , or ; he, שַׁבָּת, Šabbāṯ, , ) or the Sabbath (), also called Shabbos (, ) by Ashkenazim, is Judaism's day of rest on the seventh day of the week—i.e., Saturday. On this day, religious Jews remember the biblical stori ...
, Yom Tov, and - in many communities - on
Hoshana Rabbah Hoshana Rabbah ( arc, הוֹשַׁעְנָא רַבָּא, , Great Hoshana/Supplication) is the seventh day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, the 21st day of the month of Tishrei. This day is marked by a special synagogue service, the Hoshana R ...
. It is also recited towards the end of the Hallel section of the
Passover seder The Passover Seder (; he, סדר פסח , 'Passover order/arrangement'; yi, סדר ) is a ritual feast at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted throughout the world on the eve of the 15th day of isan_in_the__Hebrew_...
. *_It_is_recited_on_the_eighth_day_of_Passover_in_some_traditions. *_Verse_1_is_part_of_the_final_paragraph_of_Birkat_Hamazon. *_Verse_4_is_recited_when_opening_the_Hakafah.html" ;"title="Passover.html" ;"title="isan in the Hebrew ...
. * It is recited on the eighth day of Passover">isan in the Hebrew ...
. * It is recited on the eighth day of Passover in some traditions. * Verse 1 is part of the final paragraph of Birkat Hamazon. * Verse 4 is recited when opening the Hakafah">Hakafot on Simchat Torah. * Verse 6 is recited in ''Rokah Ha'aertz Al Hamayim'' of Birkat HaShachar. * Verse 7 is part of Likel Barukh in Shema Yisrael#Accompanying blessings, Blessings before the Shema. * Verse 25 is part of the opening paragraph of Birkat Hamazon. Verse 1, :''
hey Hey or Hey! may refer to: Music * Hey (band), a Polish rock band Albums * ''Hey'' (Andreas Bourani album) or the title song (see below), 2014 * ''Hey!'' (Julio Iglesias album) or the title song, 1980 * ''Hey!'' (Jullie album) or the title ...
worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,'' :''"For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever"'' was recited at
Solomon Solomon (; , ),, ; ar, سُلَيْمَان, ', , ; el, Σολομών, ; la, Salomon also called Jedidiah (Hebrew language, Hebrew: , Modern Hebrew, Modern: , Tiberian Hebrew, Tiberian: ''Yăḏīḏăyāh'', "beloved of Yahweh, Yah"), ...
's dedication of the
Temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
; Charles Spurgeon suggests that the whole psalm was sung.


Eastern Orthodox

* Along with Psalm 135 (LXX numbers as 134 and 135 respectively) this psalm is called the Polyeleos or translated to "Many Mercies", named such after the refrain used "for His mercy endures forever". The Polyeleos is sung at Orthros (Matins) of a Feast Day and at Vigils. In some Slavic traditions and on
Mount Athos Mount Athos (; el, Ἄθως, ) is a mountain in the distal part of the eponymous Athos peninsula and site of an important centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism in northeastern Greece. The mountain along with the respective part of the peni ...
it is read every Sunday at Orthros. * On
Mount Athos Mount Athos (; el, Ἄθως, ) is a mountain in the distal part of the eponymous Athos peninsula and site of an important centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism in northeastern Greece. The mountain along with the respective part of the peni ...
, it is considered one of the most joyful periods of Matins-Liturgy, and the highest point of Matins. In Athonite practice, all the candles are lit, and the chandeliers are made to swing as the Psalms are sung, it is also accompanied by a joyful peal of the bells and censing of the church, sometimes with a hand censer which has many bells on it. * At vigils, it accompanies the opening of the Royal Doors and a great censing of the nave by the Priest(s) or Deacon(s).


Coptic Orthodox

This Psalm is chanted as the second Canticle or the second Hoos of the Midnight Praises known as Tasbeha, a nightly prayer practiced in
Coptic Orthodox Church The Coptic Orthodox Church ( cop, Ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ, translit=Ti.eklyseya en.remenkimi en.orthodoxos, lit=the Egyptian Orthodox Church; ar, الكنيسة القبطي ...
es and Monasteries.


Literature

John Milton John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet and intellectual. His 1667 epic poem ''Paradise Lost'', written in blank verse and including over ten chapters, was written in a time of immense religious flux and politica ...
wrote an English paraphrase of Psalm 136 among his poems of 1645.


Musical settings

John Milton paraphrased the beginning in the hymn " Let us with a gladsome mind" in 1623. The German round, " Danket, danket dem Herrn" from the 18th century is also a paraphrase of verse 1. Heinrich Schütz composed two setting in German in his '' Psalmen Davids'' in 1618, SWV 32 and SWV 45. Verses 1-15 were set by Roxanna Panufnik as "Love Endureth" in 2012. "Forever", written by
Chris Tomlin Christopher Dwayne Tomlin (born May 4, 1972) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas, United States, who has sold over 7 million records. He is a member of Passion Conferences an ...
in 2001, also draws heavily on this psalm for its lyrics.


References


External links

* * * in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre * Text of Psalm 136 according to th
1928 Psalter

Praise the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever
text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

introduction and text, biblestudytools.com
Psalm 136 – God’s Never-Ending Mercy
enduringword.com
Psalm 136
at biblegateway.com
Psalm 136 / Give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious.
Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Brit ...

Hymns for Psalm 136
hymnary.org {{Psalms 136 Shacharit for Shabbat and Yom Tov Hallel