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Commentary on Psalms 136 verses 10–22
The great things God for Israel, when he first formed them into a people, and set up his kingdom among them, are here mentioned, as often elsewhere in the psalms, as instances both of the power of God and of the particular kindness he had for Israel. See Psa 135:8, etc. 1. He brought them out of Egypt, Psa 136:10-12. That was a mercy which endured long to them, and our redemption by Christ, which was typified by that, does indeed endure for ever, for it is an eternal redemption. Of all the plagues of Egypt, none is mentioned but the death of the first-born, because that was the conquering plague; by that God, who in all the plagues distinguished the Israelites from the Egyptians, brought them at last from among them, not by a wile, but with a strong hand and an arm stretched out to reach far and do great things. These miracles of mercy, as they proved Moses's commission to give law to Israel, so they laid Israel under lasting obligations to obey that law, Exo 20:2. 2. He forced them a way through the Red Sea, which obstructed them at their first setting out. By the power he has to control the common course of nature he divided the sea into two parts, between which he opened a path, and made Israel to pass between the parts, now that they were to enter into covenant with him; see Jer 34:18. He not only divided the sea, but gave his people courage to go through it when it was divided, which was an instance of God's power over men's hearts, as the former of his power over the waters. And, to make it a miracle of justice as well as mercy, the same Red Sea that was a lane to the Israelites was a grave to their pursuers. There he shook off Pharaoh and his host. 3. He conducted them through a vast howling wilderness (Psa 136:16); there he led them and fed them. Their camp was victualled and fortified by a constant series of miracles for forty years; though they loitered and wandered there, they were not lost. And in this the mercy of God, and the constancy of that mercy, were the more observable because they often provoked him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert. 4. He destroyed kings before them, to make room for them (Psa 136:17, Psa 136:18), not deposed and banished them, but smote and slew them, in which appeared his wrath against them, but his mercy, his never-failing mercy, to Israel. And that which magnified it was that they were great kings and famous kings, yet God subdued them as easily as if they had been the least, and weakest, and meanest, of the children of men. They were wicked kings, and then their grandeur and lustre would not secure them from the justice of God. The more great and famous they were the more did God's mercy to Israel appear in giving such kings for them. Sihon and Og are particularly mentioned, because they were the first two that were conquered on the other side Jordan, Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20. It is good to enter into the detail of God's favours and not to view them in the gross, and in each instance to observe, and own, that God's mercy endureth for ever. 5. He put them in possession of a good land, Psa 136:21, Psa 136:22. He whose the earth is, and the fulness thereof, the world and those that dwell therein, took land from one people and gave it to another, as pleased him. The iniquity of the Amorites was now full, and therefore it was taken from them. Israel was his servant, and, though they had been provoking in the wilderness, yet he intended to have some service out of them, for to them pertained the service of God. As he said to the Egyptians, Let my people go, so to the Canaanites, Let my people in, that they may serve me. In this God's mercy to them endureth for ever, because it was a figure of the heavenly Canaan, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
"Who smote great kings" [Psalm 136:17], "and slew famous kings" [Psalm 136:18]. From us too He smites and slays the deadly powers of the devil.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 136:18, situated within a grand liturgical hymn of thanksgiving, powerfully celebrates God's decisive and sovereign actions in human history, specifically His triumph over formidable earthly rulers. This verse, like every declaration in the psalm, is profoundly underscored by the resounding refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," emphasizing that even God's acts of judgment and displays of power are ultimately expressions of His unwavering covenant loyalty and steadfast love towards His people. It stands as a profound declaration of divine authority, enduring faithfulness, and the secure foundation of God's redemptive plan.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 136:18, and indeed throughout the entire psalm, is Repetition, specifically the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever." This constant reiteration serves multiple purposes: it acts as a liturgical response, reinforces the central theological message of God's enduring lovingkindness, and creates a rhythmic, memorable structure for communal worship. The phrase "famous kings" employs a form of Hyperbole to emphasize the formidable nature of the adversaries God overcame, thereby magnificently magnifying His power and the extent of His victory. There is also an implicit Parallelism with the preceding verses, which detail other great acts of God (creation, the exodus from Egypt), placing the defeat of these kings within a larger, unfolding narrative of divine power and benevolence. The entire psalm functions as a grand Hymn of Thanksgiving, designed to elicit profound praise, unwavering trust, and grateful remembrance of God's unchanging character and redemptive acts.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 136:18 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God's sovereignty extends over all earthly powers, and His actions, even those of judgment, are always tethered to His eternal covenant faithfulness. The defeat of "famous kings" like Sihon and Og was not an arbitrary display of power but a necessary act of deliverance for Israel, demonstrating that God's justice against His enemies is intrinsically linked to His mercy for His people. This verse assures believers that no human authority or opposition, however mighty, can ultimately thwart God's purposes, and His steadfast love remains the ultimate guarantee of His people's security and salvation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 136:18 offers immense comfort and a powerful challenge for believers today. In a world often dominated by seemingly insurmountable political powers, economic forces, or personal adversaries, this verse reminds us that God remains utterly sovereign over all. No king, government, oppressive system, or even personal struggle is beyond His control or immune to His ultimate judgment. We are called to place our trust not in human strength, fleeting alliances, or our own limited abilities, but in the God whose mercy "endureth for ever" and whose power can humble the mightiest of foes. This profound truth encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that God is actively working on behalf of His people, even when circumstances appear bleak or overwhelming. It also calls us to align our lives with His righteous purposes, confident that His ultimate justice will prevail and His steadfast love will secure our future and bring about His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the psalm repeatedly state "for his mercy endureth for ever" even after acts of judgment like slaying kings?
Answer: The repeated refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," is central to the theological message of Psalms 136. It emphasizes that even God's acts of judgment, such as the decisive defeat of the "famous kings" like Sihon and Og, are not arbitrary or capricious displays of raw power. Instead, they are profound manifestations of His unwavering covenant faithfulness (Hebrew: hesed) towards His chosen people, Israel. By removing obstacles and enemies who stood in the way of His promises, God was actively delivering and protecting His people, thus fulfilling His divine plan for them. Therefore, His judgments against the wicked are an expression of His steadfast love and commitment to His own, ensuring their safety, securing their inheritance, and advancing His redemptive purposes. This demonstrates that God's justice and mercy are not contradictory but are two harmonious aspects of the same divine character, both serving His ultimate purpose of love and redemption for those who are His.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 136:18, with its declaration of God slaying "famous kings" because "his mercy endureth for ever," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist recounts historical victories over earthly rulers who opposed Israel, Christ's triumph extends far beyond mere human kings and their armies. He is the ultimate King, who, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, "slew" the true "famous kings" of this fallen age: sin, death, and the spiritual powers of darkness that held humanity captive (Colossians 2:15). His victory on the cross disarmed these cosmic rulers and authorities, demonstrating God's supreme sovereignty over all spiritual and earthly opposition. This ultimate act of divine power is the supreme demonstration of God's enduring mercy, for it is through Christ's sacrifice that humanity receives forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life (Romans 5:8). The "mercy that endureth for ever" is most perfectly revealed in the New Covenant, established through Christ's shed blood, offering an eternal deliverance and an everlasting inheritance far greater than any historical liberation (Hebrews 9:12). Thus, the psalmist's ancient hymn of divine victory and enduring mercy powerfully foreshadows the Lamb of God, who, through His victorious sacrifice, forever establishes the reign of God's eternal mercy and grace.