to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that God alone performs great wonders, meaning His power is utterly unique and unmatched; there's no other being capable of such feats, either with or without His help. This isn't just about miracles, but about the very fabric of creation itself, which is a constant, wonder-filled work of divine power.
to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This Psalm is a powerful, repetitive call to thanksgiving, structured with a recurring refrain. It begins by declaring God's goodness and the eternal nature of His steadfast love, then moves to exalt Him as the supreme God and Lord, before launching into a detailed recounting of His creative and redemptive acts, from making the heavens and the earth to His mighty works for Israel.
What does it mean that God 'alone' does great wonders? It's more than just a statement of power; it's a declaration of His unique, unrivaled position in the cosmos.
God's Unique Power
The verse declares God "alone" does great wonders. This isn't just saying He's the best at miracles; it means no one else can do them. Miracles, or "great wonders," often involve suspending or inverting the natural laws we see every day. Only an almighty, uncreated power, who established those laws in the first place, can step outside them.
No Help Needed
This "alone" also implies God doesn't need anyone or anything else to accomplish His mighty deeds. While we are dependent on Him for every breath and every action, He is utterly self-sufficient. He doesn't consult with other gods or seek assistance from created beings. His power is absolute and originating solely within Himself.
Amidst the astonishing power of God's wonders, there's a constant, reassuring truth: His steadfast love never fades.
More Than Just Emotion
The phrase "steadfast love" (often translated from the Hebrew word for covenant loyalty) isn't just a fleeting feeling. It describes God's enduring commitment, His faithfulness to His promises, and His deep, unwavering affection for His people. It's the kind of love that is rooted in a covenant relationship, a bond that cannot be broken.
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An Eternal Guarantee
When the verse repeats that this love "endures forever," it's a powerful declaration. It means this love isn't dependent on our performance or circumstances. It was planned from eternity past, actively displayed throughout history in God's redemptive acts, and will continue to sustain us throughout our lives and into eternity. It’s the bedrock of our hope and security.
Understand the original words
nifla'ot · Hebrew Noun
Acts of supernatural power that demonstrate God’s sovereignty, deliverance, or judgment. They are designed to evoke awe and bear witness to His unique character.
Psalm 136, with its repeated refrain, likely served as a liturgical song during or after the Babylonian exile. Its focus on God's wondrous acts of creation and deliverance, especially the Exodus, would have been a powerful reminder of His faithfulness and ability to restore His people and His house, as they experienced with the return from exile.
~1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, a foundational event showcasing His great wonders and enduring love.
~1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David consolidates the Israelite monarchy, and the Psalms, including Psalm 136, are compiled and used in temple worship, reflecting on God's past deeds.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Temple Dedicated
During the dedication of the First Temple, Solomon and the people praise God with the refrain 'for his mercy endures forever,' a practice likely continued from David's reign.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin and many citizens, a period of great distress that would heighten the people's need to remember God's consistent faithfulness.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, marking a profound national trauma and a turning point in Israel's history.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Return from Exile
The Persian King Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This restoration underscores God's enduring mercy and power.
This passage describes God's creation of the heavens and the earth, a foundational 'great wonder' that speaks to His unique power and the enduring nature of His creative act.
Exodus 15:11The song of Moses celebrates God's mighty acts, particularly His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, proclaiming 'Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?' This echoes the 'alone does great wonders' theme.
Jeremiah 32:17Jeremiah's prayer highlights God's power and ability to perform wonders, 'Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.' This reinforces the exclusivity of God's wondrous works.
Luke 1:37The angel Gabriel's declaration to Mary, 'For with God nothing will be impossible,' directly speaks to the idea that all great wonders originate from God alone, with no limitation.
ellicottPsalms 136:4: "To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever."
-4 Psalm 72:18 .
pulpitPsalms 136:4: "To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Verse 4. - To him who alone doeth great wonders (comp. Psalm 72:18). For his mercy, etc.
The verse emphasizes that God alone performs great wonders, meaning His power is utterly unique and unmatched; there's no other being capable of such feats, either with or without His help. This isn't just about miracles, but about the very fabric of creation itself, which is a constant, wonder-filled work of divine power.
This Psalm is a powerful, repetitive call to thanksgiving, structured with a recurring refrain. It begins by declaring God's goodness and the eternal nature of His steadfast love, then moves to exalt Him as the supreme God and Lord, before launching into a detailed recounting of His creative and redemptive acts, from making the heavens and the earth to His mighty works for Israel.
This Psalm is a powerful, repetitive call to thanksgiving, structured with a recurring refrain. It begins by declaring God's goodness and the eternal nature of His steadfast love, then moves to exalt Him as the supreme God and Lord, before launching into a detailed recounting of His creative and redemptive acts, from making the heavens and the earth to His mighty works for Israel.
"to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;" — The verse emphasizes that God alone performs great wonders, meaning His power is utterly unique and unmatched; there's no other being capable of such feats, either with or without His help. This is…
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Last reviewed October 2026