Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
PSALMS 136:25KJVWhat does Psalms 136:25 mean?
Psalms 136:25 says that God provides food for every living creature, and this ongoing care is a sign that his mercy never ends. The verse highlights God’s kindness and generosity to all life, not just to people, as a lasting part of his character.
This verse is part of a psalm where a worship leader or singer is calling the people to remember and praise God for his continual acts of kindness. The focus here is on God’s provision for “all flesh,” meaning every living being, as an example of his enduring mercy. The repeated phrase “for his mercy endureth for ever” ties this act of daily care to the larger theme of God’s faithful love throughout the whole psalm.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 136:25
- “Mercy” (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This word often means steadfast love or loyal kindness, not just mercy in the sense of forgiveness. In this verse, it points to God’s ongoing, faithful care for all creatures, not just a one-time act.
- “Flesh” (בָּשָׂר, basar): This word means living beings or creatures, not just human flesh. The verse is emphasizing that God’s care extends to all life, not just people.
- “Food” (לֶחֶם, lechem): This word means bread or food in general. The verse is about God providing the basic needs for all living things, showing his concern for their daily life.
Why Psalms 136:25 matters
- Psalms 136:25 reminds readers that God’s mercy is not limited to spiritual matters or to humans alone; it is seen in the everyday, physical care of all living things.
- The verse connects God’s act of providing food with his enduring mercy, showing that even the most ordinary parts of life are expressions of his faithful love.
- In the context of the whole psalm, this verse broadens the scope of God’s kindness, moving from big acts in Israel’s history to the daily needs of all creatures, inviting everyone to see God’s mercy in the world around them.