Psalms 136:2

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

ה֭וֹדוּ לֵֽאלֹהֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ

Transliteration

hôdû to-ʾĕlōhê the-ʾĕlōhîm because to-ʿôlām ḥasdô

Grammar Details

*hôdû*: imperative, plural - give thanks/praise
*ʾĕlōhê*: construct state of ʾĕlōhîm with prefixed preposition lamed - to/for God of
*ʾĕlōhîm*: noun, masculine plural with definite article - the gods/God
*ʿôlām*: noun, masculine singular with prefixed preposition lamed - to/for eternity/forever
*ḥasdô*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd person masculine singular possessive suffix - his steadfast love/mercy/kindness

Word Meanings

*hôdû*: give thanks/praise/acknowledge
*ʾĕlōhê*: God of/gods of
*ʾĕlōhîm*: gods/divine beings/God (intensive plural)
*ʿôlām*: eternity/long duration/antiquity
*ḥasdô*: his steadfast love/mercy/kindness/covenant faithfulness

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

ESVNIVCSBNLTNASBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Deut 10:17 : 17 For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
Josh 22:22 : 22 The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, {H430} the Mighty One, God, Jehovah, {H430} he knoweth; and Israel he shall know: if it be in rebellion, or if in trespass against Jehovah (save thou us not this day,)
2 Chr 2:5 : 5 And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.
Ps 97:9 : 9 For thou, Jehovah, art most high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods.
Dan 2:47 : 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.
Exod 18:11 : 11 Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yea, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them.
Ps 82:1 : 1 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; He judgeth among the gods.
Ps 97:7 : 7 Let all them be put to shame that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Ps 136:3-26
24 verses
95%
3Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
4To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
5To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
6To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
7To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
8The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
9The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
10To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
11And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
12With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
13To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
16To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
17To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
18And slew famous kings; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
20And Og king of Bashan; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
21And gave their land for a heritage; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
22Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
23Who remembered us in our low estate; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
24And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:
25Who giveth food to all flesh; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
26Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
Ps 136:1
94%
1Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
Ps 118:1-4
4 verses
88%
1Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
2Let Israel now say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
3Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
4Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
Ps 118:29
88%
29Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
Ps 107:1
88%
1O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
Ps 106:1
86%
1Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
1 Chr 16:34-35
2 verses
86%
34O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
35And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise.
Ps 117:2
78%
2For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah [endureth] for ever. Praise ye Jehovah.
1 Chr 16:41
76%
41and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever;
Ps 100:4-5
2 verses
75%
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name.
5For Jehovah is good; His lovingkindness [endureth] for ever, And his faithfulness unto all generations.
Ps 105:1
72%
1Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings.
Ps 75:1
72%
1For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song. We give thanks unto thee, O God; We give thanks, for thy name is near: Men tell of thy wondrous works.
1 Chr 29:13
72%
13Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Ps 113:2
72%
2Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
Ps 135:13
71%
13Thy name, O Jehovah, [endureth] for ever; Thy memorial [name], O Jehovah, throughout all generations.
Ps 30:12
71%
12To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Ps 18:50
70%
50Great deliverance giveth he to his king, And showeth lovingkindness to his anointed, To David and to his seed, for evermore.
Ps 103:17
70%
17But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children;
Ps 25:6
70%
6Remember, O Jehovah, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; For they have been ever of old.
Ps 145:1
70%
1[ A Psalm of praise; of David.] I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Ps 138:1
70%
1[ A Psalm] of David. I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.