Edition notes: Version 2, in 3:2 time, meter 8 10. 8 10. D. Transcribed from A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms, Edition 6, 1708. Two notes changed, note values and bar lines as in original.
Edition notes: Version 1, in cut time, meter 8 10. 8 10. Transcribed from A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms, Edition 6, 1708. Note values halved, bar lines as in original.
Firstpublished:1708 in A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms, Edition 6 Description: Two very different versions, both composed by William Croft and printed on adjacent pages in the 1708 publication. Both versions are in D minor. Version 1 in cut time takes the first stanza, but version 2 in 3:2 time takes the first two stanzas. Words adapted (presumably by Tate and Brady) from the King James Version of the Bible, with thirteen stanzas; the version in the 1708 publication has nine.
External websites:
Original text and translations
Original text and translations may be found at Psalm 136.
English text
A Supplement to the New Version, 1708
1. O praise the Lord, for he is good,
For his mercy endureth forever;
The God of gods and Lord of lords,
For his mercy endureth forever.
2. Who wondrous works alone can do,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Who by his wisdom made the heavens,
For his mercy endureth forever.
3. Who stretched the earth above the seas,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Who filled the skies with shining lights,
For his mercy endureth forever.
4. The glorious sun that rules the day,
For his mercy endureth forever;
The moon and stars, that rule by night,
For his mercy endureth forever.
5. All Egypt's first-born sons he slew;
For his mercy endureth forever;
And brought his people forthwith,
For his mercy endureth forever.
6. Through parted waves, made Israel pass,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Where Pharoah and his host were drowned,
For his mercy endureth forever.
7. Them through the desert led our tribes,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Where great and famous kings he slew,
For his mercy endureth forever.
8. Sihon, who Ammon's scepter swayed,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Gigantic Ogg, proud Bashan's king,
For his mercy endureth forever.
9. And gave their lands to his elect,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Thought on and saved us when distressed,
For his mercy endureth forever.
10. With food all creatures he supplies,
For his mercy endureth forever;
Give thanks to God, the God of heaven,
For his mercy endureth forever.
English text
King James Version, Psalm 136
1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
2. O give thanks unto the God of gods:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
4. To him who alone doeth great wonders:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
7. To him that made great lights:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
8. The sun to rule by day:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
9. The moon and stars to rule by night:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
10. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
11. And brought out Israel from among them:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
13. To him which divided the Red sea into parts:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
14. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
16. To him which led his people through the wilderness:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
17. To him which smote great kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
18. And slew famous kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
19. Sihon king of the Amorites:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
20. And Og the king of Bashan:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
21. And gave their land for an heritage:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
23. Who remembered us in our low estate:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
25. Who giveth food to all flesh:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
English text