Psalms 136:1–4
A choir of thanks where every verse ends the same: his loyal love is forever
Study it word by word1Give thanks to YHWH, for he is good, for his loyal love is forever.
2Give thanks to the Elohim of the gods, for his loyal love is forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of the lords, for his loyal love is forever.
4to him who does great wonders alone, for his loyal love is forever.
In its context
…
5to him who made the heavens with understanding, for his loyal love is forever.
6to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his loyal love is forever.
Its words in the original
- הוֹדוּhodu· praise, give thanks; confess
In one form of the verb, praise, give thanks. In another, confess: acknowledge sins or the name of God aloud. Its root sense is to throw.
- יהוָהyhva· YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
- טוֹבtov· good
Good in the widest sense: pleasant, beautiful, useful, right, of good quality. As a noun, "good", "good things", "well-being".
- עוֹלָםolam· forever, eternal
A very long time whose end cannot be seen: looking forward, "forever"; looking back, "of old", "ancient".
- חַסְדּchasd· loyal love
"Chesed": love that stays faithful to a commitment. It is kindness that does not remain a feeling: it acts in favor of the other and does not abandon him. The Bible says it above all of God's love for his people.
- אלֹהֵיlohe· Elohim, God, gods
The Hebrew word usually translated "God". This translation keeps "Elohim" when it speaks of the one true God, the Creator, the God of Israel. The word ends like a plural, but it does not mean several: for him the verb is singular ("Elohim created"); the plural form expresses greatness. The same word as a common noun names the "gods" of other peoples, and there it is a true plural, translated "gods". It is also used of mighty ones or judges.
- אֲדֹנֵיadone· lord, master
Lord: one who has authority over another (an owner, a husband, a superior). It is also a polite form, "my lord". Said of God, "the Lord".
- עֹשֵׂהose· do, make
Do, make, in the widest sense: build, produce, carry out, keep (a command), prepare.
- נִפְלָאוֹתniflaot· be wonderful, too hard
Be extraordinary, beyond what one can do; be wonderful. "Is anything too hard for YHWH?"
- גְּדֹלוֹתgedolot· great
Great in size, number, age or importance; also "the elder" of two; "high priest" is "great priest".
- בַדּvad· alone, apart; pole
Alone, apart; "besides". The same word (in another sense) means "pole", like the ones for carrying the ark, or a branch.