PsalmsChapter 136
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In the Russian Synodal Bible this is Psalm 135 Why this psalm has two numbers
Why does this psalm have two numbers?
Psalms are numbered differently in different Bibles. The Russian Synodal translation follows the Greek Bible (the Septuagint) read by the early Church. The Hebrew Bible and translations made from it, including English ones, follow the Hebrew (Masoretic) text.
The Greek Bible joins Psalms 9 and 10 into one, so for most psalms from 10 to 147 the Synodal number is one lower than the Hebrew one. "The Lord is my shepherd" is Psalm 22 in the Synodal Bible and 23 in the Hebrew Bible; David's psalm of repentance is 50 and 51; "The Lord said to my Lord" is 109 and 110.
Neither side is a mistake: ancient traditions divided the same text in different ways. The title above a psalm ("A Psalm of David") is often counted as verse 1 in the Hebrew Bible, so in some psalms the verse numbers shift as well.
How the numbers match
| Synodal | Hebrew |
|---|---|
| 1–8 | 1–8 |
| 9 | 9–10 |
| 10–112 | 11–113 |
| 113 | 114–115 |
| 114–115 | 116 |
| 116–145 | 117–146 |
| 146–147 | 147 |
| 148–150 | 148–150 |
This explanation is a draft awaiting review.
Commentary on the chapter (in Russian)
1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:
4To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:
5To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:
6To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:
7To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:
8The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;
9The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:
10To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;
11And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;
12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:
13To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;
14And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:
16To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:
17To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;
18And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;
20Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;
21And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;
22Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:
23Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;
24And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:
25Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.
26Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.
Text: New Heart English Bible. Commentary: The Explanatory Bible, ed. A. P. Lopukhin (in Russian).
Означенные псалмы - одинакового содержания, хотя 134-м псалмом заканчивается у евреев малый галлел (Пс 112-117), а 135 Пс начинается большой галлел. Оба псалма представляют торжественный гимн Богу с перечислением Его многочисленных благодеяний, оказанных евреям во время всей их исторической жизни и до последнего момента, когда были составлены эти псалмы. Господь воспевается в них как Творец мира, Покровитель евр. народа, совершавший разнообразные чудеса, чудесно избавивший их от ига египетского и давший им в наследие Палестину. Он - Бог живой и всемогущий; идолы язычников пред Ним - ничто, а потому к воспеванию Его приглашаются все израильтяне.
Такой торжественный тон содержания псалмов, возвышенное и хвалебно-благодарное чувство, каким они проникнуты предполагают и событие высокой важности, послужившее поводом написания их. Этим событием могло считать построение и освящение второго Иерусалимского храма.
Оба псалма называются полиелейными потому, что употребляются при совершении полиелея при великих праздниках. Важности праздника вполне отвечает торжественный тон содержания псалмов.