Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 136:23

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 136:23. Who remembered us in our low estate — He has done much for our forefathers; and he has done much for us, in delivering us, when we had no helper, from our long captivity in Babylon.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalms 135-136 God’s choice of Israel

Two hymns for use in Israel’s public worship appear here side by side. The first is a hymn of praise, the second a hymn of thanksgiving. The two hymns are similar in that they both recall God’s loving acts in nature and on behalf of his people Israel. These acts display God’s incomparable greatness on the one hand and show up the uselessness of the gods of the heathen on the other.
A call goes out to the worshippers gathered in the temple to praise God because he has chosen the nation Israel to be his people (135:1-4). God’s choice of Israel is particularly significant, because anything God does is deliberate. It is as sure and certain as his acts in the creation and control of nature (5-7). He demonstrated his special care for the people of Israel by rescuing them from Egypt, conquering their foes and giving them Canaan for their homeland (8-14). By contrast the so-called gods of other nations are merely useless pieces of metal (15-18). All Israelites should therefore offer thankful worship to their covenant God (19-21).

In the Jewish tradition, Psalms 136:0 was sung after the Hallel at the Passover Feast (see note introducing Psalms 113:0). In each verse the leader sings of the greatness of God, and the congregation replies that this is seen in his loyal love to his people, a love that will never end. Israel’s God is good, and he is the only true God (136:1-3). He has perfect wisdom and he made all things (4-9). He saved his people from Egypt (10-15), gave them victory over their enemies (16-20) and led them into Canaan (21-22). All this was not because his people deserved his blessings, but because he exercised his steadfast love towards them (23-26).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the Lord of Lords; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his loving kindness endureth forever. To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And slew famous kings; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Sihon king of the Amorites; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And Og king of Bashan; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And gave their land for a heritage; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Who remembered us in our low estate; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Who giveth food to all flesh; For his lovingkindness endureth forever. Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness endureth forever.”

There is nothing in this psalm upon which we have not already written commentary; and there are very few things which we shall cite here.

“The God of gods” “The word `gods’ here is a secondary use of the term as is found in Psalms 82:6.”The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-C, p. 286. (See our comment in chapter introduction for Psalms 82, above.) As Dr. George DeHoff stated it, “God is the God over priests, spiritual rulers, those in power, including kings and magistrates. He is the Ruler over all the rulers of the earth. This does not have reference to idols. God is not their God.”George DeHoff’s Commentary, Vol. III, p. 237.

“To him that spread forth the earth above the waters” On this verse, Addis referred to Psalms 24:2 and to Genesis 1:6 f, affirming that, “There was a sea below the earth, another on a level with the earth, and a third `ocean’ above the firmament.”W. E. Addis, p. 377. Such a view is based upon a misinterpretation of what the scriptures say. The word is not `ocean’ but `waters.’ What a difference! And if one does not believe that the earth is stretched out over the waters, let him explain why men have been digging wells for countless generations, or let him explain the glorious artesian waters of Balmorhea. We appreciate the discernment of McCaw who wrote, “Happily, the earth is spread above the waters.”The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 535.

We are conscious that Psalms 24:2 states that the earth is stretched out “above the seas,” or “upon seas”; but in that reference it is the altitude of the earth which is above the seas, that is, higher than sea level!

This psalm mentions a number of events found in the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Joshua. For extensive comments on all of these events, we refer to our commentaries on those Bible books.

“Remembered our low estate… delivered us from our adversaries” To this writer, it appears that these lines are a reference to the Babylonian captivity and God’s deliverance from it. This is certainly suggested by the proximity of the psalm to Psalms 137.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Who remembered us in our low estate - When we were few in number; when we were a feeble people; when we were a people unable to contend with such mighty foes.

For his mercy ... - By all that he did for us when thus feeble; by all his power put forth to defend us from our enemies, he has showed his mercy and kindness to us and to the world.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

23.Who remembered us in our humiliation The six verses taken from the previous Psalm I pass over without observation; and I shall only touch very briefly upon the others, which do not need lengthened consideration. We may just observe that the Psalmist represents every age as affording’ displays of the same goodness as had been shown to their fathers, since God had never failed to help his people by a continued succession of deliverances. It was a more notable proof of his mercy to interpose for the nation at a time when it was nearly overwhelmed by calamities, than to preserve it in its entire state and under a more even course of affairs, there being something in the emergency to awaken attention and arrest the view. Besides, in all the deliverances which God grants his people, there is an accompanying remission of their sins. In the close he speaks of the paternal providence of God as extending not only to all mankind, but to every living creature, suggesting that we have no reason to feel surprise at his sustaining the character of a kind and provident father to his own people, when he condescends to care for the cattle, and the asses of the field, and the crow, and the sparrow. Men are much better than brute beasts, and there is a great difference between some men and others, though not in merit, yet as regards the privilege of the divine adoption, and the Psalmist is to be considered as reasoning from the less to the greater, and enhancing the incomparably superior mercy which God shows to his own children.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Shall we turn now our Bibles to Psalms 136:1-26 . Throughout the one-hundred-and-thirty-sixth psalm, we have the repeated phrase, "For His mercy endureth forever." And this is repeated in each of the verses throughout the entire psalm. And so he begins the psalm by an exhortation of giving thanks.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:1 ).

Over and over in the psalms, this is a repeated kind of a refrain. Remember this is their songbook, and so one of the things of which they were constantly singing was the goodness of God and the mercies of God.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:2-4 ).

And now he goes on to exhort praise and thanksgiving for God's creative acts. And he starts out in the general act of creation. And then he lists many of the creative acts of God.

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 ( Psalms 136:5-9 ):

And now he commands the praise and thanksgiving to God for His special blessings upon the nation Israel and for the creation of that nation.

To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: And brought Israel from among them: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea. To him that led his people through the wilderness. To him which smote great kings: And slew famous kings: Sihon the king of the Amorites: Og the king of Bashan: And gave their land for a heritage: Even a heritage unto Israel. Who remembered us in our low estate: And hath redeemed us from our enemies. Who giveth food to all flesh. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever ( Psalms 136:10-26 ).

And now in order that you might get sort of an idea of how many of these songs were sung, in a song such as this, quite often the men would take the first part and the women would answer in the refrain, "For His mercy endureth forever." And so, much as we think some of the psalms where the women have sort of an after part, these particular psalms were written, designed for this after-part effect. So, in order that we might get sort of the idea of it, how about the fellows reading together the first part and the women answering each time, "For His mercy endureth forever." And you'll get the idea of how these songs were actually sung, as this is actually a songbook of the Hebrew people. Okay, fellows?

"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 ( Psalms 136:1-26 ).

Now the purpose of the psalm was to impress upon you a certain thought or idea. And I think you get the idea. By the time you've sung this through, you get the impression that God's mercy endureth forever. And in all situations, under all circumstances, God's mercy endureth forever. And it's something that comes across as you go through the psalm; it's something that's impressed then upon your heart. And that was the purpose, to impress truth upon the hearts of the people. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 136

This psalm is probably the last of the Great Hallel psalms (Psalms 120-136), though a few Jewish scholars viewed it as the only Great Hallel psalm. [Note: See the discussion of this issue in the introduction to Psalms 135 above.] Many scholars believe that the Israelites sang this psalm at Passover when they celebrated the Exodus. Other hallel psalms are 113-118 and 146-150. This psalm is unique because it repeats the same refrain in each verse. The Israelites probably sang this song antiphonally, with the leaders singing the first part of each verse and the people responding with the refrain. The content and basic structure are similar to Psalms 135. With this song, the Israelites praised God for His great acts and His loyal love that endures forever.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. Subjects for thanksgiving 136:4-25

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

God’s acts in this section of verses relate to His care for Israel. He humbled the Egyptians, brought His people out of Egypt in the Exodus, and led them through the Red Sea (Psalms 136:10-15). He then defeated the Canaanite kings and gave their land to the Israelites (Psalms 136:16-22). In summary, God remembered His people and rescued them from their adversaries (Psalms 136:23-24). Finally, He provides food for all living creatures (Psalms 136:25).

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Who remembered us in our low estate,.... The Israelites; either in Egypt, as Jarchi, when in bondage and distress there, and sent them a deliverer; or in the times of the Judges, whom God raised up one after another, to save his people out of the hands of their enemies, by whom they were oppressed; or in the Babylonian captivity, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi: though the latter thinks their present captivity is rather intended; but as yet they are not remembered in a gracious way and manner. This may be applied to the people of God in a spiritual sense; who, before conversion, are in a low estate through sin, which has brought them into deep poverty, into debt they are not able to discharge, but are liable to a prison; it has stripped them of their original righteousness, instead of which at best they are clothed with filthy rags; it has left them, starving and famishing, to feed on ashes, sensual lusts and pleasures; it has brought them to a dunghill, from whence they are taken as beggars; yea, to a ditch, a pit wherein is in no water; even an horrible pit, the mire and clay of corrupt nature. Man, that was lord of all, is by sin reduced to the utmost slavery to it, and to Satan; and is in the greatest distress and misery; filled with diseases, loathsome and incurable by him; quite lost and undone, helpless, and hopeless, and under the sentence of condemnation and death: but the Lord has remembered his chosen people, and provided a Saviour for them; who has paid all their debts; brought in an everlasting righteousness to clothe them; given his flesh for the life of them; healed all their diseases; delivered them from thraldom and bondage; saved them from condemnation and death, and raised them to sit in heavenly places with him: and not only so, but he sends down his Spirit to convince and convert them, renew and sanctify them; to bring them from death to life; out of darkness into marvellous light; from bondage to liberty; from fellowship with wicked men, into communion with Christ and his people; and to make them meet for heaven and happiness. These are sometimes in a low estate after conversion; when corruptions prevail, and the temptations of Satan are strong; when grace is weak; or God hides his face; or they are grown carnal and secure, lukewarm and indifferent to spiritual things; yet the Lord remembers them again, his lovingkindness, his covenant and promises; and with everlasting kindness has mercy on them, heals their backslidings, and loves them freely Hosea 14:4. The Targum is,

"he hath remembered his covenant with us;''

so Kimchi;

for his mercy [endureth] for ever; which appears in the mission of his Son to save; in giving his Spirit to regenerate and quicken when dead in sin, and to revive and restore when backslidden.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:   24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.   25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.   26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

      God's everlasting mercy is here celebrated, 1. In the redemption of his church, Psalms 136:23; Psalms 136:24. In the many redemptions wrought for the Jewish church out of the hands of their oppressors (when, in the years of their servitude, their estate was very low, God remembered them, and raised them up saviours, the judges, and David, at length, by whom God gave them rest from all their enemies), but especially in the great redemption of the universal church, of which these were types, we have a great deal of reason to say, "He remembered us, the children of men, in our low estate, in our lost estate, for his mercy endureth for ever; he sent his Son to redeem us from sin, and death, and hell, and all our spiritual enemies, for his mercy endureth for ever; he was sent to redeem us, and not the angels that sinned, for his mercy endureth for ever." 2. In the provision he makes for all the creatures (Psalms 136:25; Psalms 136:25): He gives food to all flesh. It is an instance of the mercy of God's providence that wherever he has given life he gives food agreeable and sufficient; and he is a good housekeeper that provides for so large a family. 3. In all his glories, and all his gifts (Psalms 136:26; Psalms 136:26): Give thanks to the God of heaven. This denotes him to be a glorious God, and the glory of his mercy is to be taken notice of in our praises. The riches of his glory are displayed in the vessels of his mercy,Romans 9:23. It also denotes him to be the great benefactor, for every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights, the God of heaven; and we should trace every stream to the fountain. This and that particular mercy may perhaps endure but a while, but the mercy that is in God endures for ever; it is an inexhaustible fountain.