John Gill Commentary Psalms 136:6

"To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:" — Psalms 136:6 (ASV)

To him that stretcheth out the earth above the waters
Or, "besides the waters" ^F20 , close by them, and yet secures the earth from being covered with them; see (Psalms 24:2) ;

for his mercy [endures] for ever ;
it was in mercy he caused the waters to go off the earth which first covered it; that trees, plants, and herbs, might spring up out of it, and that it might be a fit habitation for man;

and though for the sins of the old world these waters were let in upon it, which drowned it, and destroyed man and beast upon it, except a few that were in mercy preserved;

yet the Lord has promised and swore to it, that these waters shall no more go over the earth to destroy it; he has set a bound for the sea that it cannot pass, by a decree of his;

even the sand on the shore, which, as weak as it may seem to be, is a bound unpassable; though they may toss and rage and roar, they shall not prevail, nor pass over it, which is a perpetual miracle of mercy, (Jeremiah 5:22) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F20: (Mymh le) "juxta aquas", Tirinus, Gejerus, Michaelis.