Psalm 136:2 kjv
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:2 nkjv
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 136:2 niv
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:2 esv
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:2 nlt
Give thanks to the God of gods.
? His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 10:17 | For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords... | God's supreme authority, like Ps 136:2 |
| Josh 22:22 | The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth... | Acknowledgment of God's unrivaled nature |
| Dan 2:47 | ...your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings... | Daniel's praise for God's supremacy over rulers |
| Ps 95:3 | For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. | God's preeminence over all false gods |
| Ps 97:9 | For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. | God's absolute exaltation and sovereignty |
| Ps 86:8 | Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord... | God's incomparability among all deities |
| Exod 15:11 | Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? | Rhetorical question highlighting God's uniqueness |
| Ps 100:5 | For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. | Enduring mercy/goodness, similar refrain |
| Ps 107:1 | O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Shared opening and refrain with Ps 136 |
| Ps 118:1 | O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. | Another Psalm with the same foundational call |
| Lam 3:22-23 | ...his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. | God's enduring hesed and faithfulness |
| 1 Chr 16:34 | O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. | Similar expression in David's psalm of thanks |
| 2 Chr 6:14 | O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth... | No equal to God, universal supremacy |
| 1 Tim 6:15 | ...who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. | New Testament affirmation of God's ultimate rule |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes... are clearly seen... | God's eternal power and divine nature |
| Rom 5:8 | But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. | Christ's death as the ultimate proof of hesed |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us... | God's abundant mercy, basis of salvation |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. | The unchangeable nature of God's love and character |
| 1 John 4:8,16 | God is love. | God's essential nature as love, basis of hesed |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son... | Divine love demonstrated in ultimate salvation |
| Num 14:18 | The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy... | God's patience and abundant mercy |
Psalm 136 verses
Psalm 136 2 Meaning
Psalm 136:2 invites humanity to express profound gratitude to God, uniquely identifying Him as "the God of gods." This title exalts Him as the supreme and true deity, transcending all other powers or so-called gods worshipped by the nations. The accompanying reason for this worship is His enduring "mercy," His steadfast covenant love (Hebrew: hesed), which is eternal and unchanging, providing the stable foundation for all creation and redemption.
Psalm 136 2 Context
Psalm 136 is a liturgical hymn, often called "The Great Hallel," specifically designed for responsive congregational worship. The refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki l'olam chasdo) would have been chanted by the congregation after each line recited by a worship leader. This structure emphasizes and reiterates God's enduring steadfast love. The Psalm systematically recounts God's magnificent works, starting with His character and creation (vv. 1-9), moving to His mighty acts of deliverance for Israel (Exodus, wilderness, conquest, vv. 10-24), and concluding with His providential care for all living things (vv. 25-26). Verse 2 sets the foundation, identifying who is being thanked before detailing what He has done. It also subtly introduces a polemic, as the original audience would have lived among nations that worshipped various gods, making the declaration "God of gods" a strong affirmation of the singular supremacy of the God of Israel.
Psalm 136 2 Word analysis
- O give thanks: The Hebrew term is הוֹדוּ (Hodu), an imperative verb meaning "to confess," "to praise," or "to give thanks." It implies an active and public acknowledgment of God's nature and deeds, not merely a feeling of gratitude but an outward expression. This word often introduces a call to worship in Psalms.
- unto the God: The Hebrew is לֵאלֹהֵי (le'Elohei), meaning "to the God of..." The singular form "Elohim" (God) is used here in a construct state. This refers specifically to the one, true God of Israel, indicating the singular object of their worship.
- of gods: The Hebrew term is הָאֱלֹהִים (ha'Elohim), a plural form. When paired with Elohei (God of), it forms a superlative expression meaning "the supreme God" or "God above all so-called gods." This does not affirm the reality of other gods, but rather asserts God's absolute sovereignty and incomparability over any entity that human cultures might worship or conceive as divine. It serves as a direct polemic against the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in the Ancient Near East, declaring Yahweh as ultimately sovereign and incomparable.
- for his mercy: The key term here is חַסְדּוֹ (chasdo), referring to "His mercy" or "His steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," or "unfailing kindness." Chesed is a cornerstone concept in the Old Testament, denoting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, His undeserved grace, and His benevolent commitment to His people. It's an active, enduring love.
- endureth for ever: The Hebrew phrase is כִּי לְעוֹלָם (ki l'olam), meaning "for forever" or "eternally." This emphasizes the unending, unchanging, and constant nature of God's chesed. It's not a fleeting emotion or a temporary act, but an eternal attribute of God's character and a permanent aspect of His dealings with creation and His chosen people.
- "O give thanks unto the God of gods": This entire phrase functions as a clarion call to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty. It directs praise and gratitude to the ultimate authority, emphasizing His unique status as the unparalleled ruler of all creation, standing far above any earthly power or supposed divine entity.
- "for his mercy endureth for ever": This recurring refrain highlights the eternal foundation of divine goodness and faithfulness. It affirms that God's covenant love is not temporal but an unchangeable reality that underlies all of His actions, from creation to redemption, providing unwavering hope and assurance.
Psalm 136 2 Bonus section
- The term "God of gods" (אֵל אֱלֹהִים - el elohim) or similar superlative forms also appears in Deut 10:17 and Dan 2:47, showcasing a consistent biblical understanding of God's supreme status, particularly against idolatry.
- The repetitive structure of Psalm 136 with its fixed refrain served as a catechetical tool, aiding in memorization and the instilling of theological truths about God's nature and actions within the community. It reinforces the central message with every line.
- The enduring nature of God's chesed means that His loving-kindness is not conditional upon human performance but flows from His intrinsic character, providing an everlasting basis for grace and forgiveness.
Psalm 136 2 Commentary
Psalm 136:2 is more than just an exhortation; it is a foundational declaration of theological truth that anchors the entire psalm. The call to "give thanks" initiates a worship response born out of revelation. God is not merely "a god" among many, but "the God of gods" — an unequivocal statement of monotheism in a polytheistic world. This title emphasizes His unrivaled supremacy and majesty. He is not subject to other powers; He is the source of all authority, before whom all other powers pale into insignificance. This attributes all creation and mighty acts detailed later in the psalm to His sole power and wisdom. The crucial reason provided for this unreserved thanksgiving is "for his mercy endureth for ever." This perpetual hesed underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, a steadfast love that extends through generations and across all circumstances. It is this enduring, active love that makes God worthy of eternal praise, providing continuous assurance and hope for believers.