Psalm 135 11

Psalm 135:11 kjv

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

Psalm 135:11 nkjv

Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan?

Psalm 135:11 niv

Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan?

Psalm 135:11 esv

Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

Psalm 135:11 nlt

Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan,
and all the kings of Canaan.

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 11 Meaning

Psalm 135:11 extols God's power and faithfulness, specifically highlighting His historical act of delivering Israel by conquering formidable earthly rulers and their nations. It names Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, along with "all the kingdoms of Canaan," as specific examples of God's triumphant judgment over the adversaries of His people, thereby securing their inheritance in the Promised Land. The verse serves as a declaration that no human king or kingdom can withstand the sovereign will and mighty hand of the Lord.

Psalm 135 11 Context

Psalm 135 is a psalm of praise that celebrates the Lord's supreme greatness, distinguishing Him sharply from the impotent idols of the nations. The psalm first invites God's servants, particularly the priests, to praise Him for His goodness and the pleasantness of His name (vv. 1-3). It then grounds this praise in three categories of God's mighty deeds: His choice of Israel as His special possession (v. 4), His creative power in the universe (vv. 5-7), and crucially, His redemptive acts in Israel's history (vv. 8-12). Verse 11 falls within this historical section, directly following the plagues upon Egypt and the Exodus (vv. 8-9) and preceding the ultimate giving of the land as an inheritance (v. 12). This specific verse recalls key military victories from Israel's initial conquest east of the Jordan River and broadens the scope to include the general subjugation of the entire land of Canaan, emphasizing God's role in clearing the path for Israel's settlement. The broader historical context is the period of the Israelite Exodus and the subsequent wilderness wanderings leading into the Promised Land under Moses and Joshua. This recounting of history is set in direct contrast with the futility of idols (vv. 15-18), underscoring that the Lord alone is active, powerful, and worthy of worship.

Psalm 135 11 Word analysis

• Sihon (סִיחוֹן, Siḥôn): He was the Amorite king of Heshbon, east of the Jordan River. His refusal to allow Israel passage and his subsequent military defeat (recorded in Num 21, Deut 2) marked a pivotal moment in Israel's journey. His downfall demonstrated God's power to overcome human kings who oppose His divine plan, providing crucial land for settlement before Israel even crossed into the heart of Canaan.
• king of the Amorites: The Amorites (אֱמוֹרִי, ’Ĕmôrî) were a prominent and formidable people group residing in Canaan prior to Israel's entry. Their king, Sihon, represented a significant political and military force. Their defeat signified God's judgment upon the iniquity of the Amorites (Gen 15:16) and His faithful commencement of the promised land's transfer to Israel.
• and Og (וְעוֹג, wĕ‘Ôg): Og was the king of Bashan, another powerful Amorite kingdom east of the Jordan, and he was renowned for his great size (Deut 3:11 mentions his massive iron bedstead, likely a sarcophagus, implying a colossal figure). His defeat (recorded in Num 21, Deut 3) by Israel further confirmed God's ability to conquer seemingly invincible giants and mighty rulers on behalf of His people.
• king of Bashan: Bashan (הַבָּשָׁן, habbāšān) was a fertile and strategically important region, famous for its strong cattle and large oaks. Its ruler, Og, epitomized strength and resistance. The conquest of Bashan and Og solidified Israel's control over a large swath of land east of the Jordan, crucial for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
• and all the kingdoms: This phrase (וְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת, wĕḵōl mamlĕḵōt) is critical, emphasizing the comprehensive and total nature of God's dominion. It extends beyond the initial, major victories over Sihon and Og to encompass the entire, broader conquest of the Promised Land that would follow under Joshua. It highlights God's systematic dismantling of all established human power structures in Canaan to fulfill His promise.
• of Canaan: Canaan (כְּנָעַן, Kĕna‘an) refers to the geographical region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which God had promised to Abraham and his descendants as their inheritance. The mention of "all the kingdoms of Canaan" reinforces the theological theme that the entire land was given by divine conquest, not by Israel's might or negotiation.

• "Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan": These two kings represent the initial, most immediate, and fearsome adversaries Israel faced on the doorstep of the Promised Land. Their specific mention serves as concrete examples of God's power. Their dramatic and swift defeats established a divine precedent for the larger conquest of Canaan, instilling faith in Israel and awe in surrounding nations regarding YHWH's irresistible might. This phrase highlights that God's plan overcame the mightiest human resistance.
• "all the kingdoms of Canaan": This expansive phrase encapsulates the totality of God's sovereign act in establishing Israel in their promised homeland. It signifies not merely a few isolated victories but a systematic and complete subjugation of existing political entities. This was not a gradual human migration or a slow assimilation, but a divinely orchestrated "taking" of the land, confirming God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and demonstrating His absolute power over all human governments and territorial claims. It also implicitly underscores the comprehensive judgment upon the land's inhabitants due to their great sin.

Psalm 135 11 Bonus section

The mention of Sihon and Og, followed by "all the kingdoms of Canaan," also serves a crucial polemical purpose within the context of the Psalm. Coming directly before the declaration about the vanity of idols (Ps 135:15-18), the verse subtly yet powerfully challenges the deities and perceived divine support of these defeated kings and nations. Unlike the Amorite or Canaanite gods who could not save their kings and kingdoms from utter destruction, the God of Israel demonstrated undeniable might and sovereignty. The conquests are therefore not just military victories but theological pronouncements of YHWH's supremacy over all pagan gods and their earthly representatives. These specific victories also illustrate the concept of divine judgment, where the land's previous inhabitants were dispossessed due to their sin, making way for Israel's settlement in fulfillment of God's earlier pronouncements (e.g., Gen 15:16). Furthermore, the passage foreshadows the complete work of the Messiah who ultimately disarms and triumphs over all spiritual rulers and authorities (Col 2:15), delivering His people from the domain of darkness and giving them an eternal inheritance (Eph 1:11).

Psalm 135 11 Commentary

Psalm 135:11 provides a powerful historical anchor for the Psalmist's overarching theme: the incomparable greatness of the Lord. By explicitly naming Sihon and Og and extending this triumph to "all the kingdoms of Canaan," the verse highlights God's specific, visible intervention in history. These were not minor skirmishes, but the subjugation of significant regional powers. The defeat of these formidable kings and the eventual comprehensive conquest of Canaan serve as irrefutable proof that the Lord, unlike the idols described later in the psalm, is alive, active, and powerfully involved in the affairs of His people. This verse praises God for His ability to overcome any earthly obstacle and fulfill His covenant promises, securing a physical inheritance for Israel. It stands as a timeless reminder that God’s sovereign power trumps all human strength, confirming His ability to clear the way for His chosen people to inherit what He has promised. This past act of God instills confidence in future generations regarding His enduring power and faithfulness.