Psalm 135:9 kjv
Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
Psalm 135:9 nkjv
He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
Psalm 135:9 niv
He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.
Psalm 135:9 esv
who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;
Psalm 135:9 nlt
He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt
against Pharaoh and all his people.
Psalm 135 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders… | God promises to send signs and wonders. |
| Exod 10:1 | ...that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may tell… | Signs intended to declare God's power. |
| Deut 6:22 | ...the Lord performed great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt… | Remembering God's great acts in Egypt. |
| Deut 29:3 | the great trials which your eyes have seen, those great signs and wonders. | Israel witnessed God's mighty works. |
| Ps 78:43 | how He performed His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan. | Recounting God's deeds in Egypt. |
| Ps 105:27 | He performed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. | God's miracles in the land of Ham (Egypt). |
| Neh 9:10 | You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants… | Acknowledging God's acts against Egypt. |
| Isa 19:20 | And it will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. | Future prophecy of God's power in Egypt. |
| Jer 32:20 | ...who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and have continued them… | God's historical and ongoing power. |
| Joel 2:30 | I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth… | Broader prophetic use of "wonders." |
| Acts 2:22 | ...Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs… | Jesus as the one authenticated by God's works. |
| Acts 7:36 | This man led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt… | Stephen's summary of Moses's role and God's power. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature… | God's power made known through creation. |
| 1 Cor 1:22 | For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom… | The Jewish expectation of signs. |
| Heb 2:4 | God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles… | God authenticates His message through signs. |
| Exod 14:18 | And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord… | God's purpose: that Egypt would know Him. |
| Num 33:4 | ...while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them… | Direct mention of a specific judgment. |
| Deut 4:34 | Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials… | God's uniqueness in delivering His people. |
| 2 Sam 7:23 | And what one nation on earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem… | Israel's uniqueness through God's redemptive act. |
| Ps 136:8-10 | ...who by the moon and stars to govern the night, For His mercy is everlasting; To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt… | God's cosmic power and specific acts of judgment. |
| Judg 6:13 | ...where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ | God's past miracles as basis for hope. |
| Jer 10:10-11 | But the Lord is the true God... The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth… | Contrast with false gods, relevant to God vs. Egyptian gods. |
| Hab 3:3 | God comes from Teman… His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise. | God's awesome divine manifestation. |
Psalm 135 verses
Psalm 135 9 Meaning
Psalm 135:9 declares God's mighty acts performed in Egypt, specifically the miraculous "signs and wonders" that preceded Israel's exodus. It highlights God's direct and decisive intervention against the oppressive regime of Pharaoh and his entire dominion. The verse emphasizes that these divine demonstrations of power were not accidental occurrences but were intentionally "sent" by the Lord into the very heart of Egyptian society and governance. This established His supremacy over both human authority and the pantheon of Egyptian gods, serving as a powerful act of judgment and a foundational event for the deliverance of His chosen people.
Psalm 135 9 Context
Psalm 135 is a psalm of praise that calls upon the servants of the Lord to bless His name. The broader context of the psalm emphasizes God's sovereign power and His chosen status of Israel. It shifts from calling for praise (vv. 1-3) to recounting specific historical acts that demonstrate God's supremacy (vv. 4-14). Within this historical review, verses 8-12 specifically recall the Exodus narrative. Verse 9, by detailing the "signs and wonders" against Egypt, sets the stage for the dramatic liberation of Israel (v. 10) and the subsequent possession of the land (v. 11-12). It underscores a central theme of the psalm: that the Lord, unlike the lifeless idols of the nations (vv. 15-18), is the living God who actively intervenes in human history, powerfully executing His will for His people and against their adversaries. This recounting of the past serves to affirm God's continued faithfulness and power for the present worshiping community.
Psalm 135 9 Word analysis
- He sent ( הוּא שָׁלַח - hū shālash): This highlights the direct agency and intentionality of God (YHWH). The verb "sent" (
shalach) signifies a purposeful dispatch or commission, emphasizing that these events were not accidental but part of God's deliberate plan. It underscores His active involvement and sovereign control over events. - signs ( אוֹתֹת -
ʾōṯōṯ): Plural ofʾōṯ, meaning "sign," "mark," or "token." In biblical usage, anʾōṯis often a miraculous event given to confirm divine authority, authenticate a message, or provide evidence of God's presence and power. It points to a deeper reality or truth beyond itself. - and wonders ( וּמֹפְתִים -
ū-mōfətîm): Plural ofmōfēth, meaning "wonder," "omen," or "portent."Mōfətîmspecifically denotes extraordinary, astounding, or terrifying deeds, particularly those with a supernatural origin. When paired withʾōṯōṯ("signs"), the phrase "signs and wonders" forms a comprehensive technical term for miraculous events that attest to God's divine intervention, often bringing both revelation and judgment. These terms were a direct polemic against the supposed power of Egyptian magic and gods, showing God's deeds were unique and superior. - into your midst ( בְּתוֹכֵךְ -
bə-ṯôkhēkh): A strong possessive phrase, emphasizing that these actions occurred right in the heart of Egypt, inescapably experienced by all. It denotes pervasive and unavoidable impact, striking at the very core of Egyptian society. - O Egypt ( מִצְרָיִם -
mitsrāyim): The direct address highlights the specificity of God's judgment and action against the land that enslaved His people. This land, known for its powerful empire and diverse pantheon of deities, became the stage for God to reveal His unique supremacy. - upon Pharaoh ( פַּרְעֹה -
parʿōh): Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was considered a god by his people and the embodiment of national power. God's action "upon Pharaoh" was a direct challenge and subjugation of this claimed divinity and worldly authority, revealing Him as the true supreme ruler. This was a critical polemic against Egyptian religion, proving their most powerful "god" was helpless against the Lord. - and all his servants ( וְעַל כָּל־עֲבָדָיו -
wəʿal kāl-ʿăvāḏāw): This includes not just Pharaoh himself, but his entire governmental, military, and religious apparatus. It signifies a comprehensive defeat, demonstrating God's triumph over all systems and powers that opposed Him and enslaved His people.
Psalm 135 9 Bonus section
The recitation of God's acts in Egypt, particularly "signs and wonders," functions as a foundational creedal statement within Israelite worship and liturgy. It served as a powerful reminder to the new generations of God's mighty arm and provided comfort and assurance in times of oppression or doubt. The constant return to the Exodus narrative, as seen in this psalm and many others, underscores its enduring theological significance for understanding God's character (righteousness, power, faithfulness) and Israel's identity (His chosen people, delivered by Him alone). It sets a pattern for how God continues to act on behalf of His people, whether through subtle providence or overt miraculous intervention, challenging those who would oppress them or deny His sovereignty.
Psalm 135 9 Commentary
Psalm 135:9 encapsulates the core theological message of the Exodus, presenting it as a prime example of God's omnipotent rule over nations and His faithful covenant with Israel. The deliberate language of "sent signs and wonders" reiterates divine intention and supernatural power. These events, far from being mere tricks or coincidences, were demonstrative acts by God to both judge the idolatrous and oppressive system of Egypt and to reveal Himself as the one true, living God. Each plague, categorized under these "signs and wonders," directly attacked specific Egyptian deities, customs, or institutions, systematically dismantling their spiritual and political authority and proving their impotence before the Lord. The focus "upon Pharaoh and all his servants" highlights God's triumph over seemingly insurmountable human power and divine pretension, securing the dramatic liberation of His people. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for every generation of believers that the God of Israel is an active, sovereign God who intervenes decisively in history to fulfill His redemptive purposes, proving His unmatched power over all creation and against all opposing forces.