Psalm 136
Verse 1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his 1 mercy endureth for ever.
By this repetition he shows that the least of God's benefits bind us to thanksgiving: but chiefly his mercy, which is principally declared towards his Church.
Verse 6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his 1 mercy endureth for ever.
This was a common kind of thanksgiving, which the whole people used, when they had received any benefit from God, as in Chron. 20:21 meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity.
Verse 11
And 1 brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
God's merciful providence toward man appears in all his creatures, but chiefly in that he delivered his Church from the clutches of their enemies.
Verse 12
With a strong hand, and with a 1 stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
In doing such a work as was never done before, nor that any other could do.
Verse 16
To him which led his people through the 1 wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Where for the space of forty years he showed infinite and most strange wonders.
Verse 18
And slew 1 famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Declaring by it that no power or authority was so dear to him as the love of his Church.
Verse 23
Who remembered us in our 1 low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
In our greatest affliction and slavery when we looked for nothing less than to have had any help.
Verse 25
Who giveth food to all 1 flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Seeing that God provides even for the beasts much more has he care over his.
Verse 26
1 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Seeing that all ages have had most plain testimonies of God's benefits.