How does Psalm 135:10 connect with God's deliverance in Exodus? Psalm 135:10 in Its Immediate Context • Psalm 135 is a hymn that rehearses God’s mighty acts on behalf of Israel, moving from the Exodus to the conquest. • Verse 10 stands at the pivot where the psalmist recalls how the Lord “struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings—”, immediately naming Sihon and Og (v. 11) and recalling the transfer of their land to Israel (v. 12). • This recollection is inseparable from the deliverance that began in Egypt (vv. 8–9), showing one continuous story of redemption. Exodus: The Foundational Act Behind Psalm 135 • Exodus 3:7–8 – God personally vows to rescue Israel from Egypt and lead them to a land of their own. • Exodus 12:12 – “I will pass through the land of Egypt…and I will strike down every firstborn…”. • Exodus 15:3–6 – The Song of Moses praises the LORD as a warrior whose right hand shatters the enemy. • These passages establish that deliverance is accomplished by divine judgment on oppressive rulers—Pharaoh first, then later kings like Sihon and Og. Parallels Between Psalm 135:10 and Exodus • Same Divine Warrior – The LORD who toppled Pharaoh (Exodus 14:27–31) is the One who later “struck down many nations.” • Same Method – Supernatural judgments, whether plagues in Egypt or decisive battlefield victories east of the Jordan (Numbers 21:21–35). • Same Goal – Freedom leading to inheritance: from slavery in Egypt to settling Israel in the Promised Land (Exodus 6:6–8; Psalm 135:12). • Same Assurance – God’s acts build unshakeable confidence that He vindicates His people (Psalm 135:14; Exodus 14:13). The Ongoing Chain of Deliverance 1. Egypt’s firstborn struck (Exodus 12). 2. Pharaoh’s army drowned (Exodus 14). 3. Wilderness provision and protection (Exodus 16–17). 4. Kings defeated on the eastern frontier—Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21–35; Deuteronomy 2–3). 5. Canaanite coalitions overthrown under Joshua (Joshua 12). • Psalm 135:10 gathers these later victories into the same salvation narrative that began in Exodus, declaring that each triumph is another link in God’s unbroken commitment to His covenant people. Theological Thread • God’s faithfulness is traced from the Red Sea to the borders of Canaan. • His sovereignty over “many nations” confirms the exclusive reality of the LORD versus the impotence of idols (Psalm 135:15–18). • The literal historical acts authenticate every promise He makes (Exodus 34:6–7; Joshua 21:45). Encouragement for Believers • The same Lord who once shattered Pharaoh and overthrew mighty kings still acts for His people (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Remembering specific historical deliverances, as Psalm 135 does, fuels present trust and praise (Psalm 135:1–3). |
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