Psalms 136:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 136:8 mean?

Psalms 136:8 praises God for giving the sun its place over the daytime. The verse treats the sun’s regular appearance as part of God’s care for the world, and it joins that gift to the lasting mercy of the one who made it.

The picture is of the sun as a ruler presiding over the day. After verse 7 speaks of the great lights, verse 8 gives the sun its particular role. The repeated words “for his mercy endureth for ever” give the praise a response that could be spoken or sung by a group.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 136:8

• “rule” — מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah): This word can mean rule or a sphere of authority. Here it describes the sun’s assigned place over the day, using the language of a ruler.
• “mercy” — חֶסֶד (ḥesed): This word often carries the sense of faithful kindness or steadfast love. The KJV’s “mercy” points here to kindness that continues, not merely a single act of pity.
• “ever” — עוֹלָם (ʿolam): This word can refer to a very long or lasting time. With “endureth,” it gives the refrain its sense of mercy that goes on without end.

Why Psalms 136:8 matters

• The sun’s role is presented as something God gave, not as power the sun holds on its own. The preceding verse credits God with making the lights, and verse 8 assigns the sun its rule.
• The verse pairs a daily pattern with a lasting claim about God’s kindness. “By day” marks the sun’s regular role, while “for ever” gives the mercy a wider span.
• The matching line about the moon and stars in verse 9 completes the picture: day and night each have their own lights and their own place in the praise.