Psalm 136 is a psalm of thanksgiving, with each verse ending with the refrain, "for his loving kindness endures forever." Verse 6, "To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever," is a specific example of God's power and goodness. Let's break it down:

"To him who spread out the earth above the waters": This refers to God's act of creation. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the earth was often understood to be a flat disk-shaped structure supported above a primordial sea or waters. The Psalmist is describing God's power in creating a habitable earth out of a chaotic watery abyss. This is evocative of the creation account in Genesis 1, where God separates the waters above from the waters below and creates dry land.

"for his loving kindness endures forever": This is the refrain, and the key to understanding the verse. The Psalmist is saying that this act of creation – spreading out the earth – is an expression of God's enduring loving kindness (Hebrew: chesed). Chesed encompasses qualities like loving-kindness, mercy, grace, faithfulness, and steadfast love. God's act of creating a habitable space for humanity is therefore a testament to His benevolent nature and His ongoing commitment to His creation.

In essence, the verse is praising God for His creative power displayed in making the earth habitable and emphasizes that this act is motivated by His unending love and faithfulness toward humanity. It is a declaration that God's creation is not arbitrary, but is rooted in His goodness and care. It reminds us that the world we live in is a gift born out of divine love.