Read Psalms 136 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Psalm 136 is a structured call to give thanks to the Lord, repeating the refrain “for his mercy endureth for ever” to press God’s covenant love deep into the heart. It praises God for who He is—good, supreme, and sovereign—and for what He has done in creation, providence, and redemption. The psalm recalls His mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt, His guidance through the wilderness, and His victory over kings, showing that history is not random but governed by faithful mercy. It also remembers God’s care in weakness, affirming that He “remembered us in our low estate,” not because of our merit but because of His steadfast love. The chapter ends with thanksgiving to the God who provides for all flesh, declaring that His mercy is unbroken from beginning to end.
Psalms 136:1 - 136:26
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
22 [Even] an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
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.