John Calvin Commentary Psalms 136:4

"To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:" — Psalms 136:4 (ASV)

Who alone hath done great wonders. Under this phrase, he encompasses all God’s works, from the least to the greatest, to awaken our admiration for them. For despite the evident marks of inconceivably great wisdom and divine power of God which are inscribed on them, we are prone, through thoughtlessness, to underestimate them.

He declares that whatever is worthy of admiration is solely made and done by God, to teach us that we cannot transfer the smallest portion of the praise due to him without awful sacrilege, there being no trace of divinity in the whole expanse of heaven and earth with which it is permissible to compare anything or treat anything as his equal.

He then proceeds to praise the wisdom of God, as particularly displayed in the skill with which the heavens are framed, giving evidence to a surprising degree of the intricate design with which they are adorned. Next he comes to speak of the earth, to lead us to a proper appreciation of this great and memorable work of God, stretching forth as it does a bare and dry surface above the waters.

As these elements are spherical, the waters, if not kept within their limits, would naturally cover the earth, if God had not seen fit to secure a dwelling place for the human family. Philosophers themselves are forced to admit this as one of their principles and maxims.

The earth’s expanded surface, and the vacant space not covered with water, have therefore justly been considered one of the great wonders of God. And it is ascribed to his mercy, because his only reason for moving the waters from their natural place was the regard which he, in his infinite goodness, had for the interests of man.