Known as the Great Hallel, this psalm gives thanks to Hashem for His enduring mercy, recounting creation and the redemption from Egypt, each verse echoed by 'His mercy endures forever.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
O give thanks to Hashem, for He is good, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 408
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Hashem" (לַיהֹוָ֣ה, 5 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 688x in Psalms); "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'for·He·is·good', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: הוֹד֣וּ [give·thanks] (21) + לַיהֹוָ֣ה [to·Hashem] (56) + כִּי־ט֑וֹב [for·He·is·good] (47) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 408.
Ibn Ezra
"O give thanks" — these are the words of the psalmist to Israel, and the meaning is: for He is good.
Radak
"Give thanks" — according to the plain sense, each instance of "for His mercy endures forever" has its own meaning in its place, and they are found to total twenty-six, according to the matters recounted in the psalm. And first it says: all the people of the world, give thanks to Hashem, for He is good and does good forever, and His mercy has no end, for it is forever; and so too, every instance of "for His mercy endures forever" has this same meaning, and he mentions it with each one in order to magnify the praise.
Metzudat David
"For His mercy endures forever" — For the kindness of Hashem is a thing that endures forever, unlike the kindness of a mortal being (flesh and blood).
Malbim
"Give thanks" — after He commanded concerning praise and blessing, He commanded concerning thanksgiving — to give thanks for the good things received from Him, which comes from His goodness and His mercies; and these mercies are forever, whether at the time He governs the world according to the governance of nature, or when He governs according to the governance of wonders — which are the two governances he indicated in saying, "Hashem, Your name endures for ever; Hashem, Your memorial throughout all generations." Now, concerning the governance according to nature, he says:
Cross-references: Psalms 106:1; Psalms 118:1; Psalms 118:29; I Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks to the God of gods, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 472
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·gods" (הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים, 6 letters). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·God·of" (root אלהים, 347x in Psalms); "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·gods', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: ה֭וֹדוּ [give·thanks] (21) + לֵאלֹהֵ֣י [to·God·of] (76) + הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים [the·gods] (91) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 472.
Ibn Ezra
"Give thanks to the God of gods" — the supreme angels, who are not physical bodies and are not like bodies.
Radak
"To the God of gods" — they are the angels, who are "gods" to those beneath them, while He is God over them.
Metzudat David
"The gods" — These are the angels on high.
Malbim
(2-3) "Give thanks to the God of gods, to the Lord of lords" — for the natural governance, the ancient nations attributed to gods and lords, namely the stars and constellations, which in their view were the lords of the earth and its rulers, and the angels who direct the [celestial] system, which in their view were gods to these lords, bestowing upon them power and might. In light of this he says that Hashem is the one who gives power to the angels, and governance and lordship to the lords, and everything is according to His power and His governance.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 510
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·lords" (הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "the·lords" (הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·lords', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: ה֭וֹדוּ [give·thanks] (21) + לַאֲדֹנֵ֣י [to·Lord·of] (95) + הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים [the·lords] (110) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 510.
Ibn Ezra
"Give thanks to the Lord of lords" — the angels; they are the lords of the earth.
Radak
"To the Lord of lords" — they are the celestial spheres, which are lords over the lower creatures and govern them, while He is Lord over them.
Metzudat David
"The lords" — These are the host of heaven and their constellations, which are lords ruling over the earth; and Hashem is Lord over them, and He turns them wherever He wishes.
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1741
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 30 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "wonders" (נִפְלָא֣וֹת, 6 letters). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'by·Himself', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְעֹ֘שֵׂ֤ה [to·Him·who·does] (405) + נִפְלָא֣וֹת [wonders] (567) + גְּדֹל֣וֹת [great] (443) + לְבַדּ֑וֹ [by·Himself] (42) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1741.
Rashi
"To Him Who performs great wonders alone" — In the beginning, no angel was created when He made the wonders: the heaven, the earth, the sun and the moon.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who does great wonders" — of a similar kind: namely, the glorious orbs, which are the host of heaven.
Radak
"To Him who makes" — after he mentioned the angels and the celestial spheres, over whom He is Lord, he says "to Him who makes," to indicate that they are not eternal as He is eternal, but rather that they are caused beings and He is the cause over them; therefore he says "to Him who makes," to teach that they are not eternal, but that He makes them and they are created. And he first mentions "great wonders." It is possible that this is a general term for what he mentions afterward, when he says, "To Him who alone does great wonders" — [this refers] to the forms that are not bodies and have no power within bodies, namely the separate intellects; and they are wonders beyond the eye of man, for the eye of man can perceive only what is physical, and the celestial spheres and stars are refined matter, and the eye of man can perceive them, but the forms that are without matter, the eye of man cannot perceive, and even the contemplation of thought grows too weak to grasp them — therefore he calls them "wonders." And he says "alone" — for He alone is exalted above them, while all the other creatures are beneath them, and they sustain the world; therefore he says "for His mercy endures forever," for behold, they are the kindness of God toward His creatures, and they are forever, without end.
Metzudat David
"To Him who does" — This refers back to the word "give thanks," to say: "Give thanks to Him who does great wonders" — and so with all [the following verses]. "Alone" — And He has no need for the help of the angels on high.
Malbim
"To Him who does" — and as opposed to the miraculous governance, which is not performed at all through an angel or a celestial sphere, but by Hashem alone, he says that great wonders He performs alone, not by means of the gods and lords — for then He overrides their power and performs wonders by His own great power.
To Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1549
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·understanding" (בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "in·understanding" (בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·understanding', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְעֹשֵׂ֣ה [to·Him·who·made] (405) + הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם [the·heavens] (395) + בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה [in·understanding] (465) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1549.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who made" — the whole [clause] is connected to "Give thanks" [in verse 1]; this, [namely "the heavens"], is the firmament, which is the sky over the earth.
Radak
"To Him who made the heavens" — after this he mentions the heavens, which is a general term encompassing all the celestial spheres and stars, and he says that He makes them and that He created them anew through His understanding, and in their creation He performed a kindness that is forever, without end — this is [the meaning of] "for His mercy endures forever."
Malbim
(5-6) "To Him who does" — this returns to the governance of nature. "The heavens He made with understanding" — and we have already explained this in our commentary on Proverbs, that everywhere he attributes wisdom to the creation of the earth, and understanding to the making of the heavens; for wisdom discerns between good and evil, while understanding discerns between truth and falsehood. And the heavens are fixed and unchanging, and there is no such thing as good and evil there — not so with the earth. "Who spread the earth above the waters" — for the earth's existence at first was covered by the depths. And he speaks of this in the present tense — "to Him who does," "who spreads" — for He renews the work of creation every day, and the persistence of creation is a continual creation; and on the earth there is always the possibility that it might revert to the chaos and void as at first, for the beginning of its creation was that it was covered with water; and so one must give thanks for His mercy for its continued existence.
To Him who spread forth the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1175
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "above·the·waters" (עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "to·Him·who·spread" (לְרֹקַ֣ע). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "the·earth" (root ארץ, 157x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'above·the·waters', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְרֹקַ֣ע [to·Him·who·spread] (400) + הָ֭אָרֶץ [the·earth] (296) + עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם [above·the·waters] (195) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1175.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who spread out" — for the water is beneath the earth, in half of the sphere, as I explained in the portion of Bereishit. And the word "roka" [spread out] is a verb, and the letter kuf takes a patach because of the following guttural letter; and here he mentions what is overhead, before a person's eye, and the earth beneath it.
Radak
"To Him who spread out" — he mentions, from the creation of the earth, that which is an absolute kindness from Him: that He nullified the nature of the water, for it was its nature to be upon the earth as it was at first, and He, in His kindness, gathered it to one place, so that the dry land appeared, so that living creatures and plants could be upon it; and this kindness is forever, for even though the Flood covered the dry land with water, He has already sworn that this will not happen again, all the days of the earth — and this is [the meaning of] "for His mercy endures forever." And the meaning of "who spread out" is that the surface of the earth is suspended upon the water; and even though the water is higher than the earth, He arranged it so that the earth would be, as it were, higher than the water, so that it would not pass over the earth — and this is among His wonders.
Metzudat David
"Above the waters" — This is contrary to nature, for the nature of water is to rise above the land.
Metzudat Zion
"Who spread forth" — an expression of spreading out and stretching forth, as in "and the goldsmith overlays it with gold [beating it thin]" (Isaiah 40:19).
To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1033
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "lights" (אוֹרִ֣ים, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "lights" (אוֹרִ֣ים). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'great', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְ֭עֹשֵׂה [to·Him·who·made] (405) + אוֹרִ֣ים [lights] (257) + גְּדֹלִ֑ים [great] (87) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1033.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who made" — he mentions the two great lights, for human life depends on them, and afterward he specifies each one of them.
Radak
"To Him who made great lights" — after this he mentions specifically the two great lights, which sustain the world, and he says "for His mercy endures forever," for they have no end; and he mentions each one separately, and says—
Malbim
(7-9) "Who made great lights" — in this too His mercies abound, that the sun gives light by day and the moon by night; and as stated above in Psalm 104, this too is among the wonders of divine providence — that by night all the beasts of the forest creep about and man rests from his labor, and when the sun rises they withdraw — see there for more.
The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 2228
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 27 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·sun" (אֶת־הַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁ, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "the·sun" (אֶת־הַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁ), "to·rule" (לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·day', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: אֶת־הַ֭שֶּׁמֶשׁ [the·sun] (1046) + לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת [to·rule] (840) + בַּיּ֑וֹם [in·the·day] (58) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 2228.
Ibn Ezra
"The sun" — alone [rules by day]; "and the moon" [and stars] — they share [the rule of night]. And because the sun, at night, is beneath the earth, it has no power [to give light]; and were it not for the light of the moon and the stars, nothing living or growing would survive. And despite all this he says, "for His mercy endures forever" — that He does so always. And now he returns to mention that we are obligated to give thanks to Hashem for the signs He performed for the sake of His people; and he begins with "who smote," after having mentioned the smiting of Egypt, specifying their firstborn — and this is a great kindness to Israel, to be avenged of their enemies.
Radak
"The sun" — He gave it dominion over the day, for the benefit of the world, to light and warm the air, which is of benefit to living creatures and plants; and this is a kindness from Him, and it is forever, without end.
Metzudat David
"The sun" — That is, give thanks to Him who made the sun to rule by day, and set its boundary, which it does not transgress.
The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1935
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·stars" (וְ֭כוֹכָבִים, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "the·moon" (אֶת־הַיָּרֵ֣חַ), "to·rule" (לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·night', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: אֶת־הַיָּרֵ֣חַ [the·moon] (624) + וְ֭כוֹכָבִים [and·stars] (104) + לְמֶמְשְׁל֣וֹת [to·rule] (846) + בַּלָּ֑יְלָה [in·the·night] (77) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1935.
Radak
"The moon and stars" — He likewise gave the moon dominion over the night together with the stars, for the light of the moon and the stars is needed by those who travel through the wilderness and those who go down to the sea, and their power is needed for the plants; and the moon also has power over the waters, and likewise each and every star has power over plants, or over stones and metals; and in short, the two lights sustain the world, for cold and heat are the cause of the sustaining of life, and they have no end — therefore he says "for His mercy endures forever."
To Him who smote Egypt in their first-born, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1044
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 28 letters. Verse gematria: 1044 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·their·firstborn" (בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑ם, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "in·their·firstborn" (בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑ם). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·their·firstborn', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְמַכֵּ֣ה [to·Him·who·struck] (95) + מִ֭צְרַיִם [Egypt] (380) + בִּבְכוֹרֵיהֶ֑ם [in·their·firstborn] (285) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1044.
Rashi
"To Him Who smote the Egyptians with their firstborn" — It does not say, “their firstborn,” but “with their firstborn.” The firstborn arose and beat their fathers’ legs because they detained Israel, when they heard about the tenth plague from Moses.
Radak
"To Him who smote Egypt" — he mentions the plague of the firstborn, because it was on account of it that they went out [of Egypt]; and so he says accordingly—
Metzudat David
"In their firstborn" — By the hand of their firstborn; for when the firstborn heard about the plague of the firstborn, they pressed their fathers to hasten to send Israel away.
Malbim
(10-11) "To Him who smote" — now he elaborates on the wonders, that through the plague of the firstborn He brought Israel out from among them with a strong hand, and these wonders were for the sake of Israel's redemption; and in the plague of the firstborn, the harm that befell Egypt was for the purpose of Israel's good, to bring them out from there. And afterward …
And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1444
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. Verse gematria: 1444 = 38². The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·brought·out" (וַיּוֹצֵ֣א, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "from·their·midst" (מִתּוֹכָ֑ם). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·their·midst', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיּוֹצֵ֣א [and·brought·out] (113) + יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל [Israel] (541) + מִתּוֹכָ֑ם [from·their·midst] (506) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1444.
Ibn Ezra
"And brought out ... from among them" — from the midst of Egypt.
Radak
"And brought out" — and he says after this—
Metzudat David
"And brought out" — That is, give thanks to Him who brought Israel out from the midst of Egypt.
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 791
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 29 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·with·an·arm" (וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "with·a·hand" (בְּיָ֣ד), "strong" (חֲ֭זָקָה), "and·with·an·arm" (וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'outstretched', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: בְּיָ֣ד [with·a·hand] (16) + חֲ֭זָקָה [strong] (120) + וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ [and·with·an·arm] (291) + נְטוּיָ֑ה [outstretched] (80) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 791.
Ibn Ezra
"With a hand" [understood as] raised high — not like slaves who flee from before their masters.
Radak
"With a strong hand" — this is a general term for the ten plagues, and all of this is [entirely] kindness, for it was a great kindness that should be recounted forever: that Israel was in their [the Egyptians'] land, and they [the Egyptians] were struck with many plagues, while Israel, in their midst, was saved from all of them. And he says after this—
Metzudat David
"With a hand" — That is, give thanks to Him who brought them out with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, comparing Him to a mighty warrior who extends his hand against the enemy when fighting him; and it says, give thanks to Him for having brought them out with an upraised hand, and not like fleeing slaves.
To Him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1010
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "into·pieces" (לִגְזָרִ֑ים, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "to·Him·who·divided" (לְגֹזֵ֣ר), "Sea·of·Reeds" (יַם־ס֭וּף), "into·pieces" (לִגְזָרִ֑ים). The root גזר appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'into·pieces', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְגֹזֵ֣ר [to·Him·who·divided] (240) + יַם־ס֭וּף [Sea·of·Reeds] (196) + לִגְזָרִ֑ים [into·pieces] (290) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1010.
Rashi
"asunder" — In twelve pieces for the twelve tribes.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who divided" — this too was a kindness, for He could have brought them across through the water without their dying, only they would have crossed in fear and sorrow.
Radak
"To Him who divided" — and this kindness should be recounted forever, for in order that they not see war, He did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, and He changed the nature of the water for their sake so that they could pass through it. And He performed a great kindness with them in the splitting of the sea, which He split into twelve divisions for the twelve tribes, so that they would not enter in disarray, but rather each and every tribe passed by its own path, which had been cut out for it. Concerning this it is fitting to say and recount His kindness forever. Thus our Rabbis, of blessed memory, explained, that the Sea of Reeds was cut into twelve divisions. And it is possible to explain that he therefore says "divisions" because the sea was first cut along its width, up to its midpoint or more, and afterward along its length and breadth, for in the very direction by which they entered the sea, in that same direction they came out — for from the wilderness of Etham they entered the Sea of Reeds, and from the Sea of Reeds they came out to the wilderness of Etham, as it is written. And if you should ask: since they did not need to cross the sea along its width, why did they enter it, seeing that they came out at the very place where they had been at first — God, may He be blessed, did this for no other reason than so that Egypt would drown in the sea, to display the greatness of His might: that Israel would pass through the midst of the sea on dry land, while Egypt would drown within it.
Metzudat David
"In sunder" — Into many pieces, a separate path for each tribe.
Metzudat Zion
"Who divided" — an expression of cutting and severing, as in "and cut the child [in two]" (I Kings 3).
Malbim
(13-15) 'In that He divided the Red Sea into pieces, and made Israel pass through it' — the primary purpose of the miracle was for the harm of the Egyptians, to destroy them, for He could have saved Israel then in another way; and also that Hashem hardened his [Pharaoh's] heart to pursue after Israel — all of this was in order to drown the Egyptians in the sea, as it is written, 'for by the very thing with which they dealt wickedly against them' (Exodus 18:11).
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1552
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 27 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·made·pass" (וְהֶעֱבִ֣יר, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "and·made·pass" (וְהֶעֱבִ֣יר), "in·its·midst" (בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·its·midst', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְהֶעֱבִ֣יר [and·made·pass] (293) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל [Israel] (541) + בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ [in·its·midst] (434) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1552.
Ibn Ezra
"And made [Israel] pass" — this verse is a proof that they entered far into the sea, away from the dry land; and this is the meaning of "through the midst of it."
Radak
"And made Israel pass through its midst" — through the depth of the sea, which is its midpoint, and He led them through on dry land, as it is written; and could there be a greater kindness than this? For not even their feet were dipped in the water.
Metzudat David
"And made pass" — Give thanks to the One who made Israel pass through the midst of the sea.
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1223
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 30 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·the·Sea·of·Reeds" (בְיַם־ס֑וּף, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "and·overthrew" (וְנִ֘עֵ֤ר), "Pharaoh" (פַּרְעֹ֣ה), "and·his·host" (וְחֵיל֣וֹ). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·Sea·of·Reeds', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְנִ֘עֵ֤ר [and·overthrew] (326) + פַּרְעֹ֣ה [Pharaoh] (355) + וְחֵיל֣וֹ [and·his·host] (60) + בְיַם־ס֑וּף [in·the·Sea·of·Reeds] (198) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1223.
Ibn Ezra
"And shook off" — behold, Pharaoh drowned along with all his army, and then Israel was free; and this is the meaning of "for His mercy endures forever" toward Israel.
Radak
"But He overthrew" — for they [Pharaoh and his host] had no ability to turn back, and this was a great kindness, that they [Israel] saw vengeance upon their enemies and no longer feared them.
Metzudat David
"And shook off" — Give thanks to the One who shook off and drove away Pharaoh, etc., with a forceful motion.
Metzudat Zion
"Overthrew" — an expression of a violent shaking, as in "I shook out my lap" (Nehemiah 5). "And his host" — from the language of "chayil" (force) and army.
To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 784
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. Verse gematria: 784 = 28². The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Him·who·led" (לְמוֹלִ֣יךְ, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "to·Him·who·led" (לְמוֹלִ֣יךְ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·people" (root עם, 135x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·wilderness', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְמוֹלִ֣יךְ [to·Him·who·led] (136) + עַ֭מּוֹ [His·people] (116) + בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר [in·the·wilderness] (248) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 784.
Ibn Ezra
"To Him who led" — by the cloud, and this was a kindness; or [He led them] through the great wilderness, as it is written, "your going after Me in the wilderness" (Jeremiah 2:2).
Radak
"To Him who led His people through the wilderness" — a land through which no man had passed and in which there was no road, and He, in His kindness, led them by a cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire at night, and showed them the way. And furthermore, [He led them through] the wilderness, which was a land of drought and the shadow of death, and He, in His kindness, supplied all their needs — this kindness should be recounted forever.
Metzudat David
"To Him who led" — That is to say, He led them on the straight path by means of the pillar of cloud.
Malbim
'To Him who led' — this too was among Hashem's kindnesses, for through it they learned to know the ways of Hashem and His Torah, and to cast off from their hearts the evil conceptions they had absorbed from the Egyptians, as I explained in Artzot HaShalom, Discourse 2. And it has already been explained in the Midrash that through His leading them in the wilderness, and their suffering there, the land of Sichon and Og was added to them; and so it says, through this, 'to Him who struck down great kings,' and 'gave their land as an inheritance' — so that even the wandering in the wilderness, which was an aspect of harsh judgment, came from the side of His kindness and mercy.
To Him who smote great kings; For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 606
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "kings" (מְלָכִ֣ים, 5 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'great', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: לְ֭מַכֵּה [to·Him·who·struck] (95) + מְלָכִ֣ים [kings] (140) + גְּדֹלִ֑ים [great] (87) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 606.
Rashi
"great kings" — Here he alluded to the thirty-one kings, and he compared for them Pharaoh and his host and the plagues of Egypt to mighty kings, harsher than they. Sihon was equal to all of them, [and Og was equal to all of them (Machzor Vitry)], each one individually, and so did he explain above (135: 11): “Sihon the king of the Amorites and Og the king of Bashan and all the kingdoms of Canaan.” So it is in the Aggadah.
Ibn Ezra
"Who smote" — "and slew" — the meaning is doubled [for emphasis], and now he specifies them, because they were mighty. And so too the prophet said of the Amorite: "whose height was like the height of cedars, and he was strong as the oaks" (Amos 2:9); and likewise, "from the hand of the Amorite, with my sword and with my bow" (Genesis 48:22), for "the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet complete" (Genesis 15:16).
Radak
"To Him who smote" — He mentioned them [the kings] in general terms, and afterward specified them individually, in order to increase the praise. So too it says "to Him who smote" and afterward "and slew" — these are one and the same, but the matter is doubled in different words, and all this is to increase the praise and to recount the kindness many times. Indeed the kindness was great, for they [these kings] would not let Israel pass through, and they went out to fight against them, and they were a numerous people, mighty and strong, yet God, blessed be He, delivered them into their hand, and they killed them until they left no survivor — this was a great kindness.
And slew mighty kings, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 913
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 27 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "mighty" (אַדִּירִ֑ים, 6 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'mighty', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג [and·slew] (224) + מְלָכִ֣ים [kings] (140) + אַדִּירִ֑ים [mighty] (265) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 913.
Ibn Ezra
"Who smote" — "and slew" — the meaning is doubled [for emphasis], and now he specifies them, because they were mighty. And so too the prophet said of the Amorite: "whose height was like the height of cedars, and he was strong as the oaks" (Amos 2:9); and likewise, "from the hand of the Amorite, with my sword and with my bow" (Genesis 48:22), for "the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet complete" (Genesis 15:16).
Radak
"And slew" — Sihon and Og, and He gave their land as an inheritance. And this is a kindness even greater than that one, for it was not enough that He struck them, but He gave them their land as an inheritance, such that the other nations did not come and gather against them to drive them out from there. This is a great kindness from Him, for kindness is an addition of goodness, and with this land that He gave them He added to their good; for it was given to Abraham our father only [the land] across the Jordan and onward, which is the land of the seven nations. But across the Jordan to the east, nothing was given to Abraham our father, yet He gave it to Israel as an inheritance — a land that had belonged to Moab at first, and likewise He gave them the land of Og king of Bashan. This was a kindness from Him. Therefore this psalm does not mention the kingdoms of Canaan, as was mentioned in the psalm before it, because this psalm says "for His mercy endures forever," and the kingdoms of Canaan which He truly gave them were not, [in this sense,] a kindness, for it had already been given to Abraham our father; but the land of Sihon and Og, which had not been given to Abraham yet was given to them — this was a kindness.
Metzudat David
"And slew" — Give thanks to the One who slew the mighty kings of Canaan — these are the great kings mentioned — and the matter is repeated in what is stated below.
And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 846
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 23 letters. Verse gematria: 846 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Og" (וּ֭לְעוֹג, 5 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Bashan', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וּ֭לְעוֹג [and·to·Og] (115) + מֶ֣לֶךְ [king·of] (90) + הַבָּשָׁ֑ן [Bashan] (357) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 846.
Metzudat David
"And Og" — Give thanks to the One who also slew Og, etc.; and because of his strength, he too is singled out individually.
Even a heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1030
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Israel" (לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל, 6 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'His·servant', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: נַ֭חֲלָה [a·heritage] (93) + לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל [to·Israel] (571) + עַבְדּ֑וֹ [His·servant] (82) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1030.
Radak
"A heritage to Israel His servant" — He took the land from them, who worshiped idols, and gave it to Israel, who worshiped God, blessed be He, alone.
Metzudat David
"A heritage" — Give thanks to the One who gave it as a heritage to all Israel His servant; for in order to fulfill His oath to the patriarchs, it would have sufficed to give it to the righteous of that generation alone.
Who remembered us in our low estate, For His mercy endures for ever;
verse value 1365
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 24 letters. Notable word values: "to·us" (לָ֑נוּ) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 1365 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "who·in·our·low·estate" (שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "who·in·our·low·estate" (שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·us', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: שֶׁ֭בְּשִׁפְלֵנוּ [who·in·our·low·estate] (768) + זָ֣כַר [remembered] (227) + לָ֑נוּ [to·us] (86) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1365.
Rashi
"Who remembered us in our humble state" — In Egypt, He remembered us.
Radak
"Who [remembered us] in our low estate" — And a further great kindness upon us: when we went out from the land because of our iniquity and our sins, and we were in exile, in a low state, He remembered for us the covenant of the fathers. And this is said concerning the Babylonian exile, or concerning another exile — and the latter is correct. And it says "He remembered" — [meaning] "and He redeemed us" — the past tense used in place of the future, as is their custom in prophecies.
Metzudat David
"Who in our low estate" — Give thanks to the One who remembered us while we were at the utmost depth of degradation in Egypt, despised and defiled by harsh labor.
Malbim
'Who, in our low estate, remembered us' — all the miracles that He multiplied for us in the past are a beginning for the future: at every time of our lowliness, the ancient miracles will be remembered on our behalf, and He will free us from our adversaries; for 'whatever God does, it shall be forever' (Ecclesiastes 3:14) — and so the miracles and the earlier redemption are held in reserve for the time to come.
And has delivered us from our adversaries, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1132
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 24 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·delivered·us" (וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "and·delivered·us" (וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·our·adversaries', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ [and·delivered·us] (452) + מִצָּרֵ֑ינוּ [from·our·adversaries] (396) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1132.
Rashi
"And He rescued us" — from their midst and performed all these wonders for us.
Radak
"And He delivered us from our adversaries" — Behold, His great kindness was with us in exile, to keep us alive among the nations; and a kindness even greater than this — that His kindness endures forever — is that He will redeem us from our adversaries, and furthermore, His kindness shall never depart from us forever.
Metzudat David
"And delivered us" — Give thanks to the One who delivered and saved us from our adversaries.
Metzudat Zion
"And has delivered us" — this is the Aramaic Targum's term for "salvation," as in "there is none to deliver [us] from their hand" (Lamentations 5:8).
Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 1444
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 23 letters. Verse gematria: 1444 = 38². The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·all·flesh" (לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 78: bread, His·mercy. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Psalms. Unique to this verse in Psalms (hapax): "to·all·flesh" (לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·all·flesh', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: נֹתֵ֣ן [who·gives] (500) + לֶ֭חֶם [bread] (78) + לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר [to·all·flesh] (582) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 1444.
Rashi
"Who gives bread" — He alludes here to kindness (to all creatures).
Radak
"Who gives bread" — After he recounted His kindness toward Israel, he states, at the end of the psalm, His kindness toward the whole world; thus he now says, "Who gives bread to all flesh." This is a great kindness from Him toward His creatures, in that He provides for every single creature the food that is fitting for it.
Metzudat David
"Who gives" — Give thanks to the One who gives bread to all creatures and watches over all.
Malbim
'Who gives' — even sustenance, which the Sages said depends on the mazal (constellation), is in truth given by Him — He is the One who gives bread to all flesh. Even though it appears to come from the heavens and the celestial system — 'give thanks to the God of heaven' — He is the One who directs the celestial system, and the essence of sustenance and of [all] goodness issues from Him, for everything issues from His kindnesses, which endure forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven, For His mercy endures for ever.
verse value 761
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·heavens" (הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם, 5 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 216x in Psalms); "for·ever" (root עולם, 144x in Psalms); "His·mercy" (root חסד, 125x in Psalms). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·heavens', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: ה֭וֹדוּ [give·thanks] (21) + לְאֵ֣ל [to·God·of] (61) + הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם [the·heavens] (395) + כִּ֖י [for] (30) + לְעוֹלָ֣ם [for·ever] (176) + חַסְדּֽוֹ [His·mercy] (78) = 761.
Rashi
"Gives thanks to the God of heaven" — Who prepares therein food for every creature. The expression, “for His kindness is eternal,” appears twenty-six times in this psalm, corresponding to the twenty-six generations that the world was without Torah and existed through the kindness of the Holy One, blessed be He.
Radak
And it says, "Give thanks to the God of heaven" — for the rain comes from heaven, and it is the cause of all sustenance; and He is the God of heaven, and He commanded that the rain fall from the heavens. This is a great kindness that never ceases — this is [the meaning of] "for His mercy endures forever."
Metzudat David
"To the God of heaven" — To the God who dwells in heaven, above all.
Ibn Ezra
Radak
Metzudat David
Malbim