Psalm 136 18

Psalm 136:18 kjv

And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:18 nkjv

And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever?

Psalm 136:18 niv

and killed mighty kings? His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:18 esv

and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:18 nlt

He killed powerful kings ?
? His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136 verses

Psalm 136 18 Meaning

Psalm 136:18 affirms that God's enduring steadfast love and covenant faithfulness are the underlying motivations for His powerful actions throughout history, specifically His act of overthrowing formidable kings who opposed His people. This verse highlights that even God's displays of might and judgment are rooted in His unchanging character of divine compassion and loyalty to His chosen.

Psalm 136 18 Context

Psalm 136 is a liturgical Psalm of thanksgiving, structured with a consistent responsorial refrain: "for his mercy endureth for ever." It provides a historical overview of God's redemptive work, moving from creation (vv. 1-9) to the Exodus and the journey to the Promised Land (vv. 10-22), culminating in God's ongoing provision (vv. 23-26). Verse 18 is part of the central section recounting specific historical acts of deliverance for Israel, highlighting God's mighty arm in clearing the way for His people to inherit the land, explicitly referencing the defeat of two powerful Transjordanian kings in the verses that follow (Sihon and Og). It grounds these acts in God's unwavering character of steadfast love (חֶסֶד, hesed).

Psalm 136 18 Word analysis

• And slew (וַיַּהֲרֹג, vayyaharog): Derived from the Hebrew root harag (to kill, slay). The verbal form emphasizes a decisive, completed action, indicating God's direct and forceful intervention. This highlights God as the active agent, exercising supreme power over seemingly invincible earthly powers. It demonstrates His sovereignty and commitment to fulfilling His promises to Israel.
• famous (אַדִּירִים, addirim): Plural of addir, meaning "majestic," "mighty," "powerful," "noble." This is not just any king but one renowned for strength and prestige. By defeating addir kings, God proves His power transcends all human might and worldly authority. This choice of word makes God's victory even more astounding and significant, presenting a direct challenge (polemic) to the might and divinity claims of pagan rulers and their gods.
• kings (מְלָכִים, m'lakhim): The plural of melech, referring to earthly monarchs. In the ancient Near East, kings often wielded absolute power and were sometimes considered divine or semi-divine. The psalmist explicitly juxtaposes these human rulers with the supreme sovereignty of YHWH, whose power entirely eclipses theirs.
• for (כִּי, ki): This conjunction links God's specific actions to His enduring character. It explains why God performs such mighty acts – they are not arbitrary displays of power, but emanations of His steadfast love.
• his mercy (חַסְדּוֹ, hasdo): Refers to God's hesed (steadfast love, lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, loyal love). This central theological concept in the Old Testament describes God's loyal and unfailing devotion to His covenant people. It is a love that actively benefits and saves.
• endureth for ever (לְעוֹלָם, l'olam): Literally "to eternity," "forever." This signifies the infinite, unchangeable, and perpetual nature of God's hesed. It is not temporary, conditional, or subject to human change but an inherent, eternal attribute of God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And slew famous kings: This phrase underscores God's absolute power and authority over all earthly rulers. He effortlessly overcomes even the most powerful human obstacles, demonstrating that no human empire or leader can stand against His will. This was crucial for Israel, assuring them that God would secure their promised inheritance despite formidable foes.
• for his mercy endureth for ever: This is the unchanging refrain that permeates the entire Psalm. It acts as the theological lens through which every divine act, including the slaying of kings, must be understood. It reveals that God's power is always employed within the framework of His steadfast, benevolent, and loyal love. The judgment upon these kings was an act of mercy towards Israel, securing their future and demonstrating His commitment to His covenant with them.

Psalm 136 18 Bonus section

The repetitive, antiphonal structure of Psalm 136 suggests it was likely used in corporate worship, creating a strong emphasis on the unwavering nature of God's hesed. Every specific historical act, from creation to the conquest, and even to daily provision, is immediately connected to this eternal attribute of God. This liturgy would have built confidence in Israel, reminding them that the very God who brought them out of Egypt and into the land through such powerful means would continue to demonstrate His unfailing love. The "slaying" of kings, therefore, isn't arbitrary violence but necessary action arising from divine commitment, establishing space for God's covenant people.

Psalm 136 18 Commentary

Psalm 136:18, nestled within a sweeping declaration of God's redemptive acts, profoundly emphasizes that even His most severe judgments, such as the defeat of "famous kings," are fundamentally expressions of His enduring steadfast love (hesed). God's might is never separate from His character of faithful compassion. For Israel, witnessing the downfall of formidable rulers like Sihon and Og (mentioned in the subsequent verses) was a tangible demonstration that their God was not merely powerful, but purposefully powerful for them, out of an everlasting covenant love. This verse reassures believers that God’s actions in the world, however seemingly harsh or incomprehensible, always serve His greater purpose of displaying His eternal faithfulness to His people and His ultimate redemptive plan. It teaches that the triumph of God's kingdom requires the subduing of opposing forces, and this is itself an act rooted in His hesed towards those He cherishes.