Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 136

This is the last of the Great Hallel psalms (Psalms 120–136). It uniquely repeats the phrase His loving devotion endures forever in every verse.

The hymn begins and ends with a call to praise (Psalm 136:1–3, 26). It declares the Lord as the Creator of everything and the Redeemer of Israel, both in ancient times (Psalm 136:10–22) and in the recent past (136:23–24).

The psalmist calls the community to praise the Lord, who is good and full of love. He is the true Lord over all people. Verse 1 echoes the poetic line in 2 Chronicles 5:13.

The psalmist tells the early history of Israel's redemption.

The psalmist tells the recent story of Israel's redemption, but does not specify the details.

The Lord provides for all of his creatures.

The phrase God of heaven is a name for the Lord used during and after the exile (when many Israelites were taken from their land). It appears in:

• Ezra (Ezra 1:2; 5:11, 12; 6:9, 10; 7:12),

• Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:5; 2:4, 20), and

• Daniel (Daniel 2:18, 19, 37, 44).