Commentary on Ezra Nehemiah Ester Job and Psalms, Commentary 5 · Psalm 136
PSAL. CXXXVI.
VErſ. 1 O give thanks unto the Lord] This Pſalm is by the Jews called Hillel gadel, the great Gratulatory. See Pſal. 106.1.107.1.118.1.
For his mercy endureth for ever] His Covenant-mercy, that precious Church-priviledge: this is perpetuall to his people, and ſhould perpetually ſhine as a picture in our hearts. For which purpoſe this Pſalm was appointed to bee daily ſung in the old Church, by the Levites, 1 Chron. 16.41.
Verſ. 2 For his mercy endureth for ever] This is the foot or burthen of the whole ſong; neither is it any idle repetition, but a notable expreſſion of the Saints unſatisfiableneſs in praiſing God for his never-failing mercy. Theſe heavenly birds, having got a note, record it over and over. In the laſt Pſalm, there are but ſix verſes, yet twelve Hallelujahs.
Verſ. 3 O Give thanks to the Lord of Lords] That is to God the Son, ſaith Hier…; as by God of Gods, ſaith hee, in the former verſe, is meant God the Father: who becauſe they are no more but one God only, it is added
Verſ. 4 To him who alone doth great wonders] Wondrous things the Creature may do, but not wonders; mira ſed non miracula, God alone is the great Th…uma…rgus, that is, wonder-worker.
Verſ. 5 To him that by wiſdome, &c.] Singulari ingenio & ſumma induſtria, yet without tool, or toil, See Heb. 11.10. with the Note.
Verſ. 6 To him that ſtretched out the earth, &c.] A perpetuall mercy in all earthly Creatures, as is elſewhere ſet forth, Gen. 1.9. Pſal. 24.2.
Verſ. 7 To him that made great lights] Without which wee ſhould have no more comfort of the air wee breath on than the Egyptians had in that three-dayes darkneſs. Now the Sun and Moon are called great Luminaries, not great ſtars or bodies (for the Sun is leſs than ſome ſtars, and the Moon is leaſt of all) firſt, for the excellency of light which theſe two do more abundantly impart to the earth, and ſecondly, for the effects they work; the Sun by his acceſs making all green and flouriſhing, and the contrary by his receſs the Moon by his various aſpect cauſing humors and marrows to increaſe or decreaſe &c.
Verſ. 8 The Sun to … the day] Heb. For the rulings by day … by his light, … bodies, … ruledomes; and therefore in no wiſe to have been worſhipped.
Verſ. 9 The Moon and ſtars to rule by night] For by day they all veil to the Sun; from whom alſo they borrow much of their light. The Moon hath her name in Hebrew from moiſture; as refreſhing the earth with her cool influences; and thruſting forth precious things therein, Deut. 33.14.
Verſ. 10 To him that ſmote Egypt] See Pſal. 135.8.
Verſ. 11 And brought out Iſrael] viz. By that laſt plague; for the former would not do. God will have the better of his enemies, for the good of his people: for it is not fit that hee ſhould lay down the bucklers firſt.
Verſ. 12 And with a ſtretcht-out arm] A metaphor from ſouldiers exerciſing their arms, with utmoſt might and ſleight.
Verſ. 13 To him which divided the red Sea] Into twelve ſeverall parts, ſay the Jews, for the twelve Tribes to paſs thorow.
Verſ. 14 And made Iſrael to paſs, &c.] It is many times hail with the Saints, when ill with the wicked. Abraham from the hill ſeeth Sodom on fire.
Verſ. 15 But overthrew Pharaoh] Praecipitavit, pitcht him in headlong; having before paved a way for him. Subito tollitur qui diu toleratur.
Verſ. 16 To him which led his people] As an horſe that they ſhould not ſtumble, Iſa. 63.13. as a Shepheard his ſheep; providing for them ſo, as never was any Prince ſo ſerved in his greateſt pomp.
Verſ. 17 To him which ſmote great Kings] Great, as thoſe times accounted them, when every ſmall City almoſt had her King: Canaan had thirty and more of them. Great alſo in regard of their ſtature and ſtrength; for they were of the Giants race, Deut. 3. Amos 2.
Verſ. 18 And ſlew famous Kings] Magnificos, ſumpt…oſos, faſtuoſos, & arrogantes.
Verſ. 19, 20.] …ee Pſal. 135.11. Sihons Country was afterwards called Decapolis, and the Metropolis of it Scythopolis, Joſeph. de bel. l. 3. c. 2.
Verſ. 21, 22. And gave] See Pſal. 135.12. & Joſh. 12.7. hee paid them well for their pains, after that hee had made uſe of their ſword and ſervice, againſt thoſe ſinners againſt their own ſouls.
Verſ. 23. Who remembred us in our low eſtate] Still God helpeth thoſe who are forſaken of their hopes, & vindictae gladium miſerationis oleo emollit, as Nicephorus ſaith.
Verſ. 24 And hath redeemed us] Or, Broken us off, pulled us away, as by violence; for they would never elſe have looſed us. This is priori major miſericordia, a greater mercy than the former, ſaith Kimchi; to redeem is more than to preſerve.
Verſ. 25 Who giveth food to all fleſh] Food agreeable to their ſeverall appetites, and temperaments, ſuitable and ſeaſonable.
Verſ. 26 O give thanks unto the God of Heaven] His mercy in providing Heaven for his people, is more than all the reſt.