Psalm 136:6

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) While this section in many points recalls the account of creation in Genesis, it employs terms from other parts of Scripture.

Stretched out.—A word and idea peculiar to Isaiah and this psalm (Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24); properly to beat out with the feet, then to overlay with a plate of metal (Isaiah 40:12). The earth is regarded as a flat plate that has been beaten out and spread on the face of the waters, whereas in Genesis it is pictured as emerging out of the waters.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

136:1-9 Forgetful as we are, things must be often repeated to us. By mercy we understand the Lord's disposition to save those whom sin has rendered miserable and vile, and all the provision he has made for the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ. The counsels of this mercy have been from everlasting, and the effects of it will endure for ever, to all who are interested in it. The Lord continues equally ready to show mercy to all who seek for it, and this is the source of all our hope and comfort.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters - Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:9; see the notes at Psalm 24:2.

For his mercy ... - As an illustration of his benignity and kindness in preparing an abode for man, and for other creatures in the world. Whatever there is of life or happiness, on the continents and islands, has resulted from that act of God when "he made the dry land appear."

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5, 6. by wisdom—or, "in wisdom" (Ps 104:24).

made—literally, "maker of."

above the waters—or, "higher than the waters" (Ps 24:2).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Stretched out the earth above the waters; of which See Poole "Genesis 1:9"; See Poole "Psalm 24:2".

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

To him that stretcheth out the earth above the waters,.... Or, "besides the waters" (t), close by them, and yet secures the earth from being covered with them; see Psalm 24:2;

for his mercy endureth for ever; it was in mercy he caused the waters to go off the earth which first covered it; that trees, plants, and herbs, might spring up out of it, and that it might be a fit habitation for man; and though for the sins of the old world these waters were let in upon it, which drowned it, and destroyed man and beast upon it, except a few that were in mercy preserved; yet the Lord has promised and swore to it, that these waters shall no more go over the earth to destroy it; he has set a bound for the sea that it cannot pass, by a decree of his; even the sand on the shore, which, as weak as it may seem to be, is a bound unpassable; though they may toss and rage and roar, they shall not prevail, nor pass over it, which is a perpetual miracle of mercy, Jeremiah 5:22.

(t) "juxta aquas", Tirinus, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Geneva Study Bible

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 2Ch 7:6,20:21, meaning that God was not only merciful to their fathers, but also continued the same to their posterity.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. O give thanks unto him that gathereth the outcasts of Israel (Psalm 147:2 b; cp. Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 56:8), for &c.

6. that spread forth the earth upon the waters] Cp. Psalm 135:6, note; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Psalm 24:2.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - To him that stretched out the earth above the waters (comp. Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Psalm 24:2). For his mercy, etc. Psalm 136:6

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Like the preceding Psalm, this Psalm allies itself to the Book of Deuteronomy. Psa 136:2 and Psalm 136:3 (God of gods and Lord of lords) are taken from Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:12 (with a strong hand and stretched-out arm) from Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15, and frequently (cf. Jeremiah 32:21); Psalm 136:16 like Deuteronomy 8:15 (cf. Jeremiah 2:6). With reference to the Deuteronomic colouring of Psalm 136:19-22, vid., on Psalm 135:10-12; also the expression "Israel His servant" recalls Deuteronomy 32:36 (cf. Psalm 135:14; Psalm 90:13), and still more Isaiah 40:1, where the comprehension of Israel under the unity of this notion has its own proper place. In other respects, too, the Psalm is an echo of earlier model passages. Who alone doeth great wonders sounds like Psalm 72:18 (Psalm 86:10); and the adjective "great" that is added to "wonders" shows that the poet found the formula already in existence. In connection with Psalm 136:5 he has Proverbs 3:19 or Jeremiah 10:12 in his mind; תּבוּנה, like חכמה, is the demiurgic wisdom. Psalm 136:6 calls to mind Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; the expression is "above the waters," as in Psalm 34:2 "upon the seas," because the water is partly visible and partly invisible מתּחת לארץ (Exodus 20:4). The plural אורים, luces, instead of מארות, lumina (cf. Ezekiel 32:8, מאורי אור), is without precedent. It is a controverted point whether אורת in Isaiah 26:19 signifies lights (cf. אורה, Psalm 139:12) or herbs (2 Kings 4:39). The plural ממשׁלות is also rare (occurring only besides in Psalm 114:2): it here denotes the dominion of the moon on the one hand, and (going beyond Genesis 1:16) of the stars on the other. בּלּילה, like בּיּום, is the second member of the stat. construct.