What is the meaning of Psalm 136:10? He • The verse opens with “He,” pointing directly to the LORD—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who acted personally in Israel’s history (see Exodus 15:3). • Scripture repeatedly shows God Himself taking the initiative in delivering His people (Psalm 44:3). • Because the subject is God, every detail that follows flows from His sovereign authority. struck down • “Struck down” speaks of decisive judgment, not a symbolic gesture. God intervened with power that no earthly strength could resist (Exodus 12:12). • This action was purposeful: it answered Pharaoh’s stubborn defiance (Exodus 5:2) and demonstrated that the gods of Egypt were powerless (Numbers 33:4). • Similar judgments appear elsewhere—such as the destruction of Sennacherib’s army (2 Kings 19:35)—showing consistency in how God protects His people and opposes evil. the firstborn • Targeting the firstborn had deep significance: – In ancient culture, the firstborn represented strength and future legacy (Genesis 49:3). – Egypt’s oppression of Israel’s sons (Exodus 1:16, 22) finds a mirrored justice in God’s plague. • God warned of this tenth plague well in advance (Exodus 4:22-23). He is patient, but His warnings are real. of Egypt • Egypt symbolizes worldly power set against God’s purposes (Psalm 20:7). • The location reminds readers of the historical Exodus, a foundational act of redemption (Deuteronomy 7:8). • By striking within Egypt’s borders, God exposed the emptiness of its idols and secured Israel’s freedom (Psalm 105:23-38). His loving devotion • After the statement of judgment, the psalmist immediately highlights “His loving devotion” (hesed)—the steadfast, covenant love that defines God’s relationship with His people (Psalm 136:1). • Judgment and mercy stand side by side: while Egypt experienced wrath, Israel experienced rescue (Exodus 12:13). • This combination shows that love is not sentimental but holy, protecting what is good and opposing what destroys. endures forever • God’s love is not momentary; it “endures forever,” a refrain repeated 26 times in this psalm. • Every mighty deed—from creation (Psalm 136:5-9) to the Red Sea crossing (Psalm 136:13-15)—is proof of an unbreakable promise (Jeremiah 31:3). • Because His love endures, believers today can trust Him in every trial (Romans 8:38-39). summary Psalm 136:10 looks back to a real, historical event: God Himself struck down Egypt’s firstborn to deliver Israel. That act was a righteous judgment against oppression and a powerful demonstration of covenant love. By pairing the severity of the plague with the refrain “His loving devotion endures forever,” the psalm teaches that God’s steadfast love motivates His mighty acts, protects His people, and remains unchanging for all generations. |
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