Psalm 135 10

Psalm 135:10 kjv

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

Psalm 135:10 nkjv

He defeated many nations And slew mighty kings?

Psalm 135:10 niv

He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings?

Psalm 135:10 esv

who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings,

Psalm 135:10 nlt

He struck down great nations
and slaughtered mighty kings ?

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 10 Meaning

Psalm 135:10 declares God's mighty actions in history, specifically His judgments upon hostile nations and powerful kings. This verse highlights the Lord's absolute sovereignty and unmatched power, demonstrating that He is the true God who actively intervenes in human affairs, unlike the powerless idols worshipped by other peoples. It points to past events where God, for the sake of His covenant people Israel, removed obstacles and cleared the path for their inheritance of the promised land.

Psalm 135 10 Context

Psalm 135 is a Hallel (praise) psalm, often sung in Temple worship, particularly by the Levites who served there. It begins with a call to praise the Lord because He is good and pleasant (vv. 1-3). It then recounts the special relationship God has with Israel, having chosen them for Himself (v. 4). The psalm proceeds to declare the incomparable greatness and power of the Lord over all gods and all things (vv. 5-7), citing His deeds in creation (rain, winds) and redemption (Exodus). Verse 10 specifically recalls His historical acts of judgment against powerful enemies, directly setting the stage for verse 11, which speaks of His giving their land as an inheritance to Israel. The overall context contrasts the active, all-powerful God of Israel with the lifeless, impotent idols of the pagan nations (vv. 15-18).

Psalm 135 10 Word analysis

• He (הוּא - Hū’): A strong emphatic pronoun. This refers directly and unequivocally to YHWH, the Lord, whose unique and supreme attributes have been praised in the preceding verses (e.g., Ps 135:5 "For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods"). It stresses that He Himself, personally, and no other power, accomplished these mighty deeds.

• smote (הִכָּה - hikkah): This Hebrew verb, derived from the root נָכָה (nakah), means to strike, hit, or beat, often with an intention to kill or inflict decisive damage. It signifies a forceful, direct, and conclusive action. It's not a mere defeat but a destructive blow.

• many nations (גּוֹיִם רַבִּים - goyim rabbim):

  • many (rabbim): Implies a multitude, signifying widespread judgment.
  • nations (goyim): In the biblical context, this often refers to Gentile, non-Israelite peoples. When contrasted with Israel, these are frequently depicted as enemies, idol-worshippers, or those resisting God's plan. The mention of "many nations" underscores the comprehensive scope of God's power, extending beyond individual rulers to entire political and ethnic entities. This serves as a polemic against the pagan belief that national gods had limited domains.

• and slew (וַיַּהֲרֹג - va-yaharog): This verb (from the root הָרַג - harag) means to kill, slay, or put to death. It's a definitive act of destruction. The conjunction "and" links this action to "smote," emphasizing a progression from violent engagement to ultimate eradication.

• mighty kings (מְלָכִים אַדִּירִים - mělāḵim ’addirīm):

  • mighty (addirīm): This adjective denotes powerful, majestic, noble, or chief. It conveys their formidable strength, renown, and perhaps their arrogance or self-perceived invincibility. It highlights that God's victory was not over weak opponents, but over those considered preeminent and strong in their time.
  • kings (mělāḵim): The plural emphasizes that these were not isolated incidents but a series of divinely orchestrated demolitions of leadership structures opposing God's purposes. The verse collectively references rulers like Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan (as specified in Ps 136:19-20), as well as the numerous kings defeated during the conquest of Canaan.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • He smote many nations, and slew mighty kings: This phrase presents two parallel but distinct aspects of God's judgment: destruction of national entities and execution of their powerful rulers. It implies God's comprehensive dismantling of opposing human structures, from the general populace and culture ("nations") to the very top leadership ("kings"). This reflects the biblical principle that God's judgment often extends to both the people and their leaders when they are united in opposition to His will. It serves to magnify God's power by showing that neither vast populations nor strong leadership could stand against Him. This contrasts sharply with the contemporary polytheistic beliefs where gods often struggled against or were defeated by other divine powers or mighty human heroes.

Psalm 135 10 Bonus section

The historical recitation of God's mighty acts (like in Ps 135:8-12) was a crucial element of Israelite worship and theological formation. It served not just as a hymn of praise but also as an instructional narrative, grounding faith in the concrete, verifiable interventions of God. This particular verse reinforces the idea of God as Deus Victor—God the Victor—who engages in spiritual and physical warfare to establish His kingdom. It implicitly serves as a warning to any future nation or ruler who would presume to oppose the Lord or His chosen people, showcasing God's consistent pattern of executing judgment against those who defy His authority. The Hebrew use of strong, active verbs for "smote" and "slew" underlines the decisiveness and finality of God's actions.

Psalm 135 10 Commentary

Psalm 135:10 is a powerful testament to the unique character and omnipotence of the God of Israel. It serves as a historical demonstration, recounted for the worshippers in the Temple, that the Lord is an active and sovereign ruler over all creation and human history. Unlike the static, passive idols described later in the psalm, the true God acts. He initiates decisive judgment against those who oppose His divine will, specifically those who stood in the way of His covenant people.

This verse emphasizes that God's power is not abstract but profoundly effective and observable in the historical record. By "smoting many nations" and "slew mighty kings," the Psalmist recalls pivotal moments in Israel's journey, particularly the conquest of Canaan. This includes specific, formidable rulers like Sihon and Og, whose kingdoms were powerful and presented significant obstacles to Israel's inheritance. God's ability to dismantle such well-established, "mighty" earthly powers highlights His supremacy over all human authority and military might. The judgment rendered was both a punitive act against the iniquity of these nations (cf. Gen 15:16) and a salvific act for Israel, clearing the path for their promised land. This underscores that God uses judgment to establish justice and fulfill His redemptive purposes. This verse instills confidence and adoration in those who praise Him, reminding them that their God is uniquely able to perform wonders and fulfill His word, standing above and beyond any perceived earthly power.