It's called "great" to differentiate it from the Egyptian Hallel, another prayer of praise comprinsing of psalms 113 to 118. Psalm 136 is known as the Great Hallel (the singular form of the more familiar Hallelujah). In the liturgical language this Psalm is called par excellence the great Hallel, for according to its broadest compass the great Hallel comprehends Ps 120:1-136:26, whilst the Hallel which is absolutely so called extends from Ps 113:1-118:29. In the liturgical language this Psalm is called par excellence the great Hallel, for according to its broadest compass the great Hallel comprehends Psalm 120-136, (Note: There are three opinions in the Talmud and Midrash concerning the compass of the "Great Hallel," viz., (1) Psalm 136, (2) Psalm 135:4-136:26, (3) Psalm 120-136.) Is recited in its entirety during the Pesukei Dezimra on Shabbat, Yom Tov, and Hoshana Rabbah. One group of people tell part of the story of what God has done. The Jews called it the Great Hallel (= … The author and occasion remain unknown. Verses 1-26: This psalm, extremely similar to Psalm 135, closes the Great Hallel. Psalm 136. Verses 1-26. Yehudah HeChasid) explained: This refers to the Great Hallel (Psalm 136). “In Jewish tradition Psalm 136 has been called the Great Hallel (or Great Psalm of Praise). ‘The Hallel’ is a name that people give to another series of Psalms: Psalms 113 to 118. The only thing close is when Psalm 118:1-4 repeats, “His lovingkindness is everlasting” four times. It does not use the words hallelu jah, but it is called the Great Hallel for the way it rehearses God’s goodness in regard to his people and encourages them to praise him for his merciful and steadfast love.” (James Montgomery Boice) A. Probably, Psalm 136 was designed for public worship. [Note: See the discussion of this issue in the introduction to Psalm 135 above.] These dictionary topics are from M.G. Tehilla 136 draws attention to this particular Psalm and suggests that it is more important than the rest of the additions. Public Domain, copy freely. Other hallels are Psalms 113-118 and 135. This word can be translated “Praise.” There are several portions of the book of Psalms that, depending on your translation, begin “Praise the Lord”, or “Hallelujah.” ‘The Hallel’ is especially well-known because the *Jewish people sing it during their sacred holiday called the Passover. But this psalm is different from the other psalms. The *Jews called this psalm "the great hallel". It is a unique psalm in that the same refrain is repeated 26 times. Many scholars believe that the Israelites sang this psalm at Passover when they celebrated the Exodus. I. The term Great Hallel (Hallel HaGadol), meaning great praise, is used to refer to Psalm 136. For after they were saved from Sihon and Og, and they crossed the Arnon stream, then they wrote this song. II. Unique to all the psalms, Psalm 136 uses the antiphonal refrain “For His loving-kindness is everlasting” after each stanza, perhaps spoken by the people in responsive worship. There is also another group called "The Great Hallel," comprehending Psalms 118136 -136, which was recited on the first evening at the Passover supper and on occasions of great joy. This psalm is probably the last of the Great Hallel psalms ( Psalm 120-136), though a few Jewish scholars viewed it as the only Great Hallel psalm. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. 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