Psalm 136 19

Psalm 136:19 kjv

Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:19 nkjv

Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;

Psalm 136:19 niv

Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:19 esv

Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:19 nlt

Sihon king of the Amorites,
? His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136 verses

Psalm 136 19 Meaning

Psalm 136:19 declares that the Lord overthrew Sihon, king of the Amorites, explicitly stating that this action was an expression of His enduring mercy. It highlights God's sovereign power to defeat powerful adversaries for the sake of His people, underscoring that even acts of judgment on enemies are rooted in His unchanging, steadfast love for Israel.

Psalm 136 19 Context

Psalm 136 is a powerful liturgical psalm, likely intended for responsive worship. Its unique structure features a declaration of God's attribute or act, immediately followed by the repeated refrain, "For His mercy endures forever." The Psalm sequentially traces God's consistent intervention and care for His creation and especially for Israel, beginning with creation itself, moving through the exodus from Egypt, the miraculous wilderness journey, and the conquest of the promised land.

Verse 19 fits into the segment (verses 17-22) recounting God's direct intervention in dispossessing the nations in Canaan and Transjordan to give Israel their land. Sihon was a formidable king of the Amorites, reigning from Heshbon. His refusal to grant passage to Israel (Num 21, Deut 2) presented a significant obstacle. God’s decisive victory over Sihon demonstrated His supreme authority over earthly rulers and was a crucial step in Israel’s journey towards their inheritance, signifying that this conquest, though appearing as judgment, was ultimately an act of divine hesed—God's steadfast love and faithfulness—in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. This event, along with the defeat of Og (v.20), served as a powerful testament to Yahweh's unique power and purpose, implicitly challenging the prevailing polytheistic beliefs of the surrounding nations and their idol gods.

Psalm 136 19 Word analysis

• Sihon (סִיחוֹן Sîḥôn): This specific proper noun refers to a formidable king of the Amorites, ruling from Heshbon (capital city). His defiance and subsequent defeat, detailed in Num 21:21-30 and Deut 2:26-37, were a pivotal event. God deliberately hardened Sihon's spirit (Deut 2:30) to deliver him into Israel's hands, showcasing divine sovereignty even over the wills of foreign kings to advance His purposes for His people. Sihon represents a specific, historical adversary whom God personally overthrew.

• king (מֶלֶךְ melek): The title "king" indicates a powerful, authoritative human ruler of a kingdom. Highlighting Sihon as a "king" emphasizes the magnitude of God's power—that He is able to bring down even the most prominent earthly powers. This underscores God's supremacy over all human governments and authorities, fulfilling His promise to give His people a land that belonged to other kings.

• of the Amorites (הָאֱמֹרִי ha'Emōrî): The Amorites were a prominent, powerful Canaanite people mentioned throughout the Old Testament. Their territory was vast and their presence was a significant challenge to Israel's entry into the Promised Land. Critically, their iniquity had "not yet reached its full measure" at the time of Abraham (Gen 15:16), implying God's foreknowledge of their wickedness and the eventual divine judgment upon them. Thus, Sihon's defeat was also an act of divine justice against a wicked nation, as part of God's redemptive plan for Israel.

• For His mercy (כִּי לְחַסְדּוֹ kî lĕḥasdô): The particle "for" (kî) here introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding action. This is the heart of the refrain. Hesed (חֶסֶד), typically translated as "mercy," "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," or "covenant faithfulness," is a core attribute of God. It's not just passive pity but active, loyal, enduring, and generous love that drives God's actions. Even the judgment upon Sihon is ultimately for the benefit of God's covenant people, and therefore, an expression of this faithful love toward them.

• endures forever (לְעוֹלָם lĕʿōlām): This phrase means "to eternity," "forever," "perpetually," "always." It signifies the eternal and unchanging nature of God's hesed. It's not a temporary characteristic or a sporadic act but an enduring aspect of God's very being. The implication is that just as God showed His hesed in defeating Sihon, He will continue to show it in all His dealings with His people through all generations. This provides unwavering assurance to the worshiping community.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Sihon king of the Amorites": This precise identification establishes the historicity of God's intervention. It pinpoints a real historical adversary whose downfall unequivocally showcased Yahweh's unique power, directly counteracting the polytheistic belief that different gods ruled over different peoples. This particular victory over a formidable enemy solidifies God's role as a divine warrior for Israel.
  • "For His mercy endures forever": This phrase functions as a profound theological interpretation of the historical event. It reorients the understanding of conquest and judgment. It means God does not act arbitrarily or merely for self-assertion. Every specific act of deliverance and judgment, even a violent overthrow, is fundamentally undergirded and motivated by God's unchanging hesed for His covenant people. It transforms a historical military victory into a testament of divine character, cementing confidence in God's perpetual faithfulness.

Psalm 136 19 Bonus section

• The paradox of "mercy through judgment": For the psalmist, God's mercy towards Israel often entailed judgment upon their enemies. This isn't a contradiction, but reveals that God's justice and righteousness are integral to His mercy. To be merciful to His covenant people, God must be just to those who oppose His plan and whose wickedness is ripe for judgment.
• The pedagogical role of the historical account: By repeatedly chanting these historical acts linked to God's enduring mercy, the Israelites were continuously reminded of their identity as God's redeemed people and the secure foundation of His covenant love, fostering corporate memory and national faith.
• Demonstration of sovereignty: The victory over Sihon was a profound theological statement to Israel and the surrounding nations. It affirmed that Yahweh, and not local deities or mighty kings, was the supreme power in control of nations and their destinies.
• Sihon as an object lesson: Sihon's refusal and subsequent downfall (Deut 2:30 - God hardening his heart) serves as a potent example of how resistance to God's plan ultimately leads to destruction, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in orchestrating events for His people's good.

Psalm 136 19 Commentary

Psalm 136:19 is not simply a historical record; it is a declaration of God's unwavering character displayed through His actions. The defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, a mighty ruler of his time, served as a crucial step in Israel's entry into the Promised Land. This seemingly violent act of conquest is presented here as an ultimate expression of divine hesed, God's covenant love. It signifies that even when God brings judgment upon the wicked, His overarching purpose is rooted in His faithful commitment to His own. God's mercy, His steadfast love, is multi-faceted: it protects His people, delivers on His promises, and removes obstacles, even through strong, decisive action against those who stand in His way or whose wickedness has matured. This teaches that God's lovingkindness is not passive, but active and potent, sovereignly intervening in history to bring about His will and secure the destiny of those He has chosen.