Salmos 136:21 Comentário

The scope of this psalm is the same with that of the foregoing psalm, but there is something very singular in the composition of it; for the latter half of each verse is the same, repeated throughout the psalm, "for his mercy endureth for ever," and yet no vain repetition. It is allowed that such burdens, or "keepings," as we call them, add very much to the beauty of a song, and help to make it moving and affecting; nor can any verse contain more weighty matter, or more worthy to be thus repeated, than this, that God's mercy endureth for ever; and the repetition of it here twenty-six times intimates, 1. That God's mercies to his people are thus repeated and drawn, as it were, with a continuando from the beginning to the end, with a progress and advance in infinitum. 2. That in every particular favour we ought to take notice of the mercy of God, and to take favour we ought to take notice of the mercy of God, and to take notice of it as enduring still, the same now that it has been, and enduring for ever, the same always that it is. 3. That the everlasting continuance of the mercy of God is very much his honour and that which he glories in, and very much the saints' comfort and that which they glory in. It is that which therefore our hearts should be full of and greatly affected with, so that the most frequent mention of it, instead of cloying us, should raise us the more, because it will be the subject of our praise to all eternity. This most excellent sentence, that God's mercy endureth for ever, is magnified above all the truths concerning God, not only by the repetition of it here, but by the signal tokens of divine acceptance with which God owned the singing of it, both in Solomon's time (Ch2 5:13, when they sang these words, "for his mercy endureth for ever," the house was filled with a cloud) and in Jehoshaphat's time (when they sang these words, God gave them victory, Ch2 20:21, Ch2 20:22), which should make us love to sing, "His mercies sure do still endure, eternally." We must praise God, I. As great and good in himself (Psa 136:1-3). II. As the Creator of the world (Psa 136:5-9). III. As Israel's God and Saviour (Psa 136:10-22). IV. As our Redeemer (Psa 136:23, Psa 136:24). V. As the great benefactor of the whole creation, and God over all, blessed for evermore (Psa 136:25, Psa 136:26).

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 136 This psalm was very probably composed by David, and given to the Levites to sing every day, Ch1 16:41. Solomon his son followed his example, and made use of them in singing at the dedication of the temple, Ch2 7:3; as Jehoshaphat seems to have done when he went out to war against his enemies, Ch2 20:21. The subject of it is much the same with the preceding psalm; its composition is very singular; the half of every verse: in it is, "for his mercy endureth for ever"; this is the burden of the song; and the design of it is to show, that all blessings of every kind flow from the grace, goodness, and mercy of God, which is constant and perpetual; and to impress a sense of it upon the minds of men: the inscription of the Syriac version is, "it is said of Moses and Israel praising the Lord for those who were delivered; and concerning the deliverance of souls out of hell from Pharaoh, the devil, by Christ our Saviour, the Redeemer of them.'' R. Obadiah says it is an exhortation to the children of God in the days of the Messiah to praise the Lord.

And gave their land for an heritage,.... This was taken away from them and their subjects by the Lord, who has the disposing of kingdoms, and given to another people, for an inheritance; for his mercy endureth for ever; while his justice is exercised on some, in a strict manner, with severity and rigour, his mercy is shown to others.

"And gave away their land for an heritage" [Psalm 136:21], "even an heritage unto Israel His servant" [Psalm 136:22]. For He gives them, whom once the devil owned, for an heritage to the seed of Abraham, that is, Christ.

David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness. (Psa 138:1-8) I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare Psa 9:1). before the gods--whether angels (Psa 8:5); or princes (Exo 21:6; Psa 82:6); or idols (Psa 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.