What is the meaning of Psalm 136:18? and slaughtered Psalm 136 celebrates specific acts of God’s deliverance, using vivid verbs to remind Israel of real events in their history. “Slaughtered” is not poetic exaggeration; it recounts literal battles where the LORD intervened. • Exodus 15:3-4 shows God defeating Pharaoh’s forces in the Red Sea. • Deuteronomy 7:1-2 records the charge to “strike them down” so Israel could possess the land. Each retelling underscores that God Himself wielded the decisive power, ensuring that His people could never credit their own strength (cf. Judges 7:2). mighty kings The psalmist names some of these rulers in verses 19-20—“Sihon king of the Amorites… Og king of Bashan.” They were formidable by any human measure: • Numbers 21:21-35 recounts Sihon’s initial refusal to grant passage and the ensuing conflict. • Deuteronomy 3:11 notes Og’s iron bed, a symbol of his imposing stature. • Joshua 12 lists thirty-one kings who fell before Israel. By referencing “mighty kings,” the psalm contrasts human power with divine omnipotence. No throne, army, or fortress stands against the LORD (Psalm 33:16-17). His loving devotion Every line in Psalm 136 ends with the refrain, “His loving devotion endures forever.” The Hebrew word conveys steadfast covenant love—mercy woven with loyalty. God’s fierce acts of judgment flow from the same heart that parts seas and forgives sins (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8-12). • Even as He topples kings, His motive remains covenant faithfulness promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). • The cross ultimately reveals this love in fullest measure, where justice and mercy meet (Romans 5:8). endures forever The repetition anchors each historical snapshot in God’s unchanging character. • Lamentations 3:22-23 affirms that His mercies are “new every morning.” • Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the LORD do not change,” assuring Israel (and every believer) that the God who acted in the past remains the same today (Hebrews 13:8). His eternal constancy transforms past victories into present confidence and future hope. summary Psalm 136:18 is a concise reminder that the LORD literally overthrew the mightiest opponents to preserve His covenant people, proving that divine love is neither passive nor transient. By recalling tangible victories, the verse calls us to trust the same unwavering, victorious love that still reigns and rescues. |
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