The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]: Psalms: Psalms Chapter 136
The Geneva Bible Translation Notes, [1599]
(a) 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.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his (b) mercy [endureth] for ever.
(b) This was a common kind of thanksgiving, which the whole people used, when they had received any benefit from God, as in (Ch2 7:6, Ch2 20:21), meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity.
And (c) brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
(c) 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.
With a strong hand, and with a (d) stretched out arm: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
(d) In doing such a work as was never done before, nor that any other could do.
To him which led his people through the (e) wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
(e) Where for the space of forty years he showed infinite and most strange wonders.
And slew (f) famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
(f) Declaring by it that no power or authority was so dear to him as the love of his Church.
Who remembered us in our (g) low estate: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
(g) In our greatest affliction and slavery when we looked for nothing less than to have had any help.
Who giveth food to all (h) flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
(h) Seeing that God provides even for the beasts much more has he care over his.
(i) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
(i) Seeing that all ages have had most plain testimonies of God's benefits.