Psalm 136:25 kjv
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:25 nkjv
Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 136:25 niv
He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:25 esv
he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:25 nlt
He gives food to every living thing.
? His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:29-30 | And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant... for food. And to every beast... | God's original provision of food for all creation. |
| Gen 9:3 | Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. | Universal dietary provision expanded post-Flood. |
| Psa 36:6 | O Lord, you preserve man and beast. | God's preservation extending to all living things. |
| Psa 104:27-28 | These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them... | God as the ultimate provider for all creatures. |
| Psa 145:15-16 | The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy... | Direct affirmation of God satisfying every living thing. |
| Psa 147:9 | He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. | Specific mention of God feeding animals, even ravens. |
| Mat 5:45 | For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. | Common grace: God's universal benevolent provision for all humanity. |
| Mat 6:11 | Give us this day our daily bread. | Prayer recognizing God as the source of daily physical sustenance. |
| Lk 12:24 | Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap... yet God feeds them. | God's direct care and feeding of His creatures. |
| Act 14:17 | Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains... satisfying your hearts with food... | God's universal goodness and provision as a witness to Him. |
| Job 38:41 | Who provides for the raven its prey when its young ones cry to God...? | God's providential care for specific, humble creatures. |
| Ex 34:6-7 | The Lord, a God merciful and gracious... abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness... | Revelation of God's character, including "steadfast love." |
| Psa 52:8 | But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. | Reliance on God's unchanging steadfast love. |
| Psa 100:5 | For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever. | Similar declaration of God's enduring love. |
| Psa 118:1 | Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! | The enduring love of God as a cause for praise, mirroring Psa 136's refrain. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning... | God's faithfulness and unending "steadfast love" reaffirmed. |
| Neh 9:6 | You preserve all of them. | God's general sustaining power over creation. |
| Heb 1:3 | He upholds the universe by the word of his power. | The sustaining power of Christ, echoing God's constant provision. |
| Jn 6:35 | Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger... | Physical food (implied from the need) points to spiritual sustenance in Christ. |
| Jn 6:51 | I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. | The ultimate spiritual provision contrasting with mere physical food. |
Psalm 136 verses
Psalm 136 25 Meaning
Psalm 136:25 declares God's abundant and continuous provision of sustenance to all living creatures, a demonstration of His unchanging, covenantal love. This verse highlights the universal scope of divine care, emphasizing that God's faithful goodness extends to every aspect of creation, not solely to a chosen people, and is the enduring reason for His actions.
Psalm 136 25 Context
Psalm 136 is a liturgical hymn, likely used in communal worship or festivals, characterized by its responsive structure. Each verse enumerates an act of God's mighty power, creation, or faithful intervention, followed by the congregational refrain, "for his steadfast love endures forever." The psalm recounts salvation history, starting from the grand acts of creation (vv. 4-9), through the Exodus from Egypt (vv. 10-15), the journey through the wilderness (v. 16), the conquest of kings (vv. 17-22), remembering Israel in its low estate (v. 23), delivering them from enemies (v. 24), and culminating in the present, continuous act of providing food to all flesh (v. 25). The immediate verse stands as a summary of God's ongoing, faithful provision after a recounting of historical redemptive acts. Historically, this declaration of a single God providing for "all flesh" served as a powerful polemic against surrounding pagan beliefs, which often involved numerous specialized deities responsible for particular aspects of nature or specific tribes, implying their gods' limited power compared to YHWH's universal and impartial sovereignty.
Psalm 136 25 Word analysis
he gives: (Hebrew: נֹתֵן - notēn) This is a participle, indicating an ongoing, active, present tense. It signifies God's continuous and current work as the giver. This is not a past action but a perpetual divine characteristic.
food: (Hebrew: אֹכֶל - 'okhel) A general term for sustenance or provision. It encompasses anything consumed for nourishment, reflecting a broad and fundamental need met by God. It isn't limited to human food but extends to what sustains all living things.
to all flesh: (Hebrew: לְכָל-בָּשָׂר - le'chol-basar) This phrase is comprehensive and inclusive. "Flesh" (basar) refers to all living creatures – animals and humans. "All" (kol) underscores the universality of God's provision. It points to God's common grace, providing for the entire animate creation, irrespective of their relationship with Him or perceived merit. This stands in stark contrast to pagan deities whose purview was often localized or specific.
for his steadfast love: (Hebrew: כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ - ki l'olam chasdo) This is the psalm's recurring refrain, appearing in every verse. "For" (ki) indicates the reason or basis. "Steadfast love" (חֶסֶד - chesed) is a profoundly rich theological term embodying covenant loyalty, unwavering goodness, enduring mercy, and faithful devotion. It is not merely affection but active commitment.
endures forever: (Hebrew: לְעוֹלָם - l'olam) Signifies eternity, perpetuity, without end. This adverb emphasizes the unchanging and eternal nature of God's "chesed." It guarantees the constancy and reliability of His provision and character.
Words-group analysis:
- "he gives food to all flesh": This phrase portrays God as the supreme, immediate, and comprehensive Provider. His benevolence is active and direct, personally caring for the most basic need of all life, affirming His total sovereignty over creation. This includes non-human life, highlighting God's broad, non-anthropocentric care.
- "for his steadfast love endures forever": This second clause functions as the divine rationale. God's universal provision is not arbitrary or dependent on merit but flows from His intrinsic, immutable nature, specifically His enduring covenant faithfulness and loyal love. It assures that His acts of provision will continue as long as He is God—which is forever.
Psalm 136 25 Bonus section
The inclusion of Psalm 136:25 among the great acts of God (creation, Exodus, conquest) underscores that continuous, universal provision is as much a miracle and a testimony to His character as any Red Sea parting. It challenges any limited view of God's scope or interest, confirming His pervasive involvement in the minute details of all life. This verse also provides an excellent basis for understanding "common grace," distinguishing it from saving grace; God's provision for all flesh is an expression of His general benevolence to humanity and the world, irrespective of one's spiritual standing. It signifies that even in a fallen world, God actively preserves and sustains life. Furthermore, by asserting God's universal dominion over food provision, the Psalm serves as an indictment of the vanity of pagan idols, which could never offer such comprehensive, faithful care.
Psalm 136 25 Commentary
Psalm 136:25 presents a climactic statement of God's active, universal benevolence, extending His hand to provide basic sustenance for all living things. After recounting the majestic works of creation and the grand sweep of salvation history for Israel, the psalm culminates in God's continuous, commonplace act of feeding "all flesh." This highlights a crucial theological truth: God's power is not confined to miraculous, epoch-making events, but is also manifest in the daily, humble provision that sustains every creature. His actions are not fleeting but are founded upon His chesed, His steadfast love—a quality that is utterly dependable and endures through all generations and circumstances. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of common grace, underscoring that the very life and breath of every creature, even those unaware of or unreceptive to God, are sustained by His unmerited goodness. It cultivates gratitude, instills trust in His unwavering care, and reveals the expansive reach of His love.