Psalm 136
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| Psalm 136 | |
|---|---|
| "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." | |
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. Plaque quoting verse 1 from Psalm 136 at an ascent to the Matterhorn together with lines from a hymn by Paul Gerhardt based on it | |
| Other name | Page Template:Plainlist/styles.css has no content.
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| Language | Hebrew (original) |
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| Psalm 136 | |
|---|---|
| Book | Book of Psalms |
| Hebrew Bible part | Ketuvim |
| Order in the Hebrew part | 1 |
| Category | Sifrei Emet |
| Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 19 |
Psalm 136 is the 136th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 135. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Script error: No such module "Lang"."[1] (Ancient Greek: Script error: No such module "Lang".). It is sometimes referred to as "The Great Hallel".[2] The Jerusalem Bible calls it a "Litany of Thanksgiving".[3] It is notable for the refrain which forms the second half of each verse,[4] translated as "For His mercy endures forever" in the New King James Version,[5] or "for his steadfast love endures for ever" in the Revised Standard Version.[6]
Psalm 136 is used in both Jewish and Christian liturgies. It has been paraphrased in hymns, and was set to music. The Hebrew text of the Book of Sirach contains a hymn of thanksgiving inserted after Sirach 51:12 which is "an obvious imitation" of this psalm. [4]
Structure
The psalm is arranged in well marked groups of three verses to the end of verse 18, after which follow two groups of four verses.[4]
Uses
Judaism
The term Great Hallel (Script error: No such module "lang".), meaning "great praise", is used to refer to Psalm 136. It is called "great" to differentiate it from the Egyptian Hallel, another prayer of praise comprising psalms 113 to 118.[7] In the Talmud, opinions vary whether Great Hallel includes only Psalm 136, or else chapters 135-136, or else chapters 134-136;[8] the accepted opinion is that it only includes 136.[9]
- The Hebrew text of the Book of Sirach contains a hymn of thanksgiving inserted after Sirach 51:12 which is "an obvious imitation" of this psalm,[4] see Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". in the New American Bible Revised Edition.
- This psalm is recited in its entirety during the Pesukei Dezimra on Shabbat, Yom Tov, and - in many communities - on Hoshana Rabbah.[10] It is also recited towards the end of the Hallel section of the Passover seder.
- It is recited on the eighth day of Passover in some traditions.[11]
- Verse 1 is part of the final paragraph of Birkat Hamazon.[12]
- Verse 4 is recited when opening the Hakafot on Simchat Torah in both the Eastern and Western Ashkenazic rites (which have different orders for this prayer).[13]
- Verse 6 is recited in Roka Ha'Aretz Al HaMayim of Birkat HaShachar.[14]
- Verse 7 is part of Likel Barukh in Blessings before the Shema.[15]
- Verse 25 is part of the opening paragraph of Birkat Hamazon.[16]
Verse 1,
- [They] worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,
- "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever"
was recited at Solomon's dedication of the Temple;[17] Charles Spurgeon suggests that the whole psalm was sung.[18]
Christianity
Eastern Orthodoxy
- Along with Psalm 135 (LXX numbers as 134 and 135 respectively) this psalm is called the Polyeleos or translated to "Many Mercies", named such after the refrain used "for His mercy endures forever". The Polyeleos is sung at Orthros (Matins) of a Feast Day and at Vigils. In some Slavic traditions and on Mount Athos it is read every Sunday at Orthros.
- On Mount Athos, it is considered one of the most joyful periods of Matins-Liturgy, and the highest point of Matins. In Athonite practice, all the candles are lit, and the chandeliers are made to swing as the Psalms are sung, it is also accompanied by a joyful peal of the bells and censing of the church, sometimes with a hand censer which has many bells on it.
- At vigils, it accompanies the opening of the Royal Doors and a great censing of the nave by the Priest(s) or Deacon(s).
Coptic Orthodoxy
This psalm is chanted as the second Hoos (or second Canticle) of the Tasbeha, the Midnight Praise of the Coptic Orthodox Church.[19]
Literature
John Milton wrote an English paraphrase of Psalm 136 among his poems of 1645.[20]
Musical settings
John Milton paraphrased the beginning in the hymn "Let us with a gladsome mind" in 1623. The German round, "Danket, danket dem Herrn" from the 18th century is also a paraphrase of verse 1.
Heinrich Schütz composed two setting in German in his Psalmen Davids in 1618, SWV 32 and SWV 45. He also composed a metred paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Danket dem Herren, gebt ihn Ehr", SWV 241, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
Verses 1-15 were set by Roxanna Panufnik as "Love Endureth" in 2012. "Forever", written by Chris Tomlin in 2001, also draws heavily on this psalm for its lyrics.
Text
The following table shows the Hebrew text[21][22] of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint[23] and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions.[note 1] In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 135.
| # | Hebrew | English | Greek |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.הוֹד֣וּ לַיהֹוָ֣ה כִּי־ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 2 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.ה֭וֹדוּ לֵאלֹהֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 3 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.ה֭וֹדוּ לַאֲדֹנֵ֣י הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 4 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְעֹ֘שֵׂ֤ה נִפְלָא֣וֹת גְּדֹל֣וֹת לְבַדּ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 5 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְעֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 6 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְרֹקַ֣ע הָ֭אָרֶץ עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 7 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְ֭עֹשֵׂה אוֹרִ֣ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 8 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.אֶת־הַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת בַּיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 9 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.אֶת־הַיָּרֵ֣חַ וְ֭כוֹכָבִים לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת בַּלָּ֑יְלָה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 10 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְמַכֵּ֣ה מִ֭צְרַיִם בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 11 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וַיּוֹצֵ֣א יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָ֑ם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 12 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.בְּיָ֣ד חֲ֭זָקָה וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 13 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְגֹזֵ֣ר יַם־ס֭וּף לִגְזָרִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 14 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וְהֶעֱבִ֣יר יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 15 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וְנִ֘עֵ֤ר פַּרְעֹ֣ה וְחֵיל֣וֹ בְיַם־ס֑וּף כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 16 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְמוֹלִ֣יךְ עַ֭מּוֹ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 17 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְ֭מַכֵּה מְלָכִ֣ים גְּדֹלִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 18 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג מְלָכִ֣ים אַדִּירִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 19 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.לְ֭סִיחוֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֑י כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 20 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וּ֭לְעוֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֑ן כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 21 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וְנָתַ֣ן אַרְצָ֣ם לְנַחֲלָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 22 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.נַ֭חֲלָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עַבְדּ֑וֹ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 23 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ זָ֣כַר לָ֑נוּ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 24 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ מִצָּרֵ֑ינוּ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 25 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.נֹתֵ֣ן לֶ֭חֶם לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
| 26 | Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.ה֭וֹדוּ לְאֵ֣ל הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ | O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Script error: No such module "Lang". |
Notes
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- ^ A 1917 translation directly from Hebrew to English by the Jewish Publication Society can be found here or here, and an 1844 translation directly from the Septuagint by L. C. L. Brenton can be found here. Both translations are in the public domain.
References
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- ^ Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 135 (136) medievalist.net
- ^ Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov by Yitzhak Buxbaum, page 399
- ^ Jerusalem Bible (1966), Sub-title to Psalm 136
- ^ a b c d Kirkpatrick, A., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 136, accessed 22 June 2022
- ^ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".: NKJV
- ^ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".: RSV
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."הלל המצרי והלל הגדול בליל הסדר | בית המדרש | שיעורי תורה". אתר ישיבה.
- ^ Pesachim 118a
- ^ Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 480:1
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 384
- ^ The Artscroll Tehillim, page 329
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 195
- ^ Goldschimdt-Fraenkel Sukkot machzor, pages 434-435.
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 20
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 88
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 185
- ^ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".
- ^ Spurgeon, C., Treasury of David - Psalm 136, accessed 25 February 2021
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Tasbeha – Heaven On Earth". 5 February 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Milton, John (2003). Orgel, Stephen; Goldberg, Jonathan (eds.). The Major Works. Oxford world's classics (illustrated, reprint ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 11–13. ISBN 978-0192804099.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Psalms – Chapter 136". Mechon Mamre.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Psalms 136 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Psalm 135 - Septuagint and Brenton's Septuagint Translation". Ellopos. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
External links
Template:Wikisource/outer core
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- Pieces with text from Psalm 136: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Psalm 136: Text, translations and list of free scores by several composers at the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
- Text of Psalm 136 according to the 1928 Psalter
- Praise the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Psalm 136:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com
- Psalm 136 – God’s Never-Ending Mercy enduringword.com
- Psalm 136 at biblegateway.com
- Psalm 136 / Give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious. Church of England
- Hymns for Psalm 136 hymnary.org
- PSALMUS 136 (135), Vatican City
Template:Hymns and songs based on Psalms Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Navbox/configuration' not found.
