Psalm 135:10-12
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This verse highlights God's immense power, not just over individuals, but over entire nations and their most powerful rulers. It’s easy to focus on the "mighty kings," but the phrase "great nations" is equally significant, pointing to God's ultimate sovereignty over even the largest and most established human empires.
who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a call to praise God for His mighty acts, moving from His power over creation to His specific deliverance of Israel. Following verses that recount God striking down Egypt's firstborn and performing wonders, this verse highlights God's powerful victories in leading Israel to conquer the Promised Land, specifically mentioning the defeat of numerous nations and their powerful kings. This sets the stage for verses 11 and 12, which name Sihon and Og, and the subsequent gifting of their land to Israel as an inheritance.
Ever feel like the world's problems are too big to overcome? This verse points to a God who has already shown incredible power on a massive scale.
This verse isn't just a historical recap; it's a bold declaration of God's sovereignty over earthly powers.
Supreme Authority
The psalmist reminds us that the God of Israel is the one who brought down entire nations and killed powerful kings. This wasn't a lucky break for Israel; it was divine intervention.
The Goal: Inheritance
These victories weren't random acts of violence. They cleared the way for God's people to enter and possess the Promised Land, a land whose inhabitants had reached the fullness of their sin.
This shows us God's long game: establishing His people and His purposes, even through forceful means against those who oppose Him.
What happens to the 'mighty kings' who stand against God's plan? This verse shows their ultimate fate and God's enduring purpose.
The destruction of powerful kings and nations wasn't just about brute force; it was about God fulfilling His promises.
Divine Judgment
These kings and nations represented opposition to God's will. Their downfall demonstrates that no earthly power can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan.
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An Enduring Heritage
Their land was then given as an "heritage" to Israel. This wasn't just about taking territory; it was about God establishing His covenant people in a place where they could worship and live according to His ways.
Understand the original words
Emori · Hebrew Noun
An ancient people group dwelling east of the Jordan, identified as enemies of Israel and objects of God's judgment during the conquest.
Bashan · Hebrew Noun
A region east of the Sea of Galilee, historically known for its fertility and its king, Og, whom God delivered into the hands of Israel.
Kena'an · Hebrew Noun
The territory promised by God to the patriarchs, characterized by the presence of various idolatrous nations that God judged and displaced to fulfill His covenant.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
A possession or portion inherited by covenantal right; in Scripture, it often refers to the land given by God to Israel as His special treasure.
This verse recalls God's powerful deliverance of Israel, not just from Egypt, but through the hard-fought conquest of the Promised Land. It highlights that these weren't just random victories, but divine interventions against powerful nations and their kings, establishing God's power and faithfulness.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites defeat Sihon and Og
Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites, led by Moses, conquered the Amorite kingdoms of Sihon and Og. This victory secured their passage into Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Joshua leads conquest of Canaan
Following Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites in the military conquest of Canaan, defeating numerous kings and nations to establish Israel's inheritance.
c. 1350 BC - 1000 BC
Period of the Judges
After the initial conquest, Israel experienced a period of cyclical oppression and deliverance under various judges, often involving significant battles against surrounding nations.
c. 1000 BC
David's Expansion of the Kingdom
King David significantly expanded Israel's borders through military campaigns, conquering surrounding kingdoms like Edom, Moab, Ammon, and Aram.
This passage directly reflects the sentiment by stating that the Egyptians, once mighty, were overthrown by the Lord, reinforcing the idea of God's power over powerful nations.
Joshua 12:1This chapter lists the kings and nations conquered by Israel, aligning with the psalm's declaration of God striking down 'great nations' and 'mighty kings' through His people.
Deuteronomy 7:1This verse explicitly mentions the Lord driving out nations 'greater and mightier than thou,' echoing the psalm's theme of God's intervention to defeat powerful adversaries for His people.
Jeremiah 25:20-26This passage demonstrates God's judgment on various kings and nations, showing a consistent biblical theme of divine power over earthly rulers and their kingdoms, not just in Israel's history.
poolePsalms 135:10: "Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;"
No text from Poole on this verse.
pulpitPsalms 135:10: "Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;"
Verse 10. - Who smote great nations (see Exodus 14:27, 28; Exodus 17:8-13; Numbers 21:24-30, 33-35; Joshua 8:21-26; Joshua 10:10, 11; Judges 4:10-16; Judges 7:19-23; Judges 11:32, 33; 1 Samuel 7:10-13; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 2 Samuel 10:8-19; 1 Kings 20:1-30; 2 Kings 3:4-27; 2 Kings 14:25-28; 2 Kings 18:7, 8; 2 Kings 19:35; 2 Chronicles 14:9-15; 2 Chronicles 20:1-25, etc.). And slew mighty kings (see Joshua 12:9-24; Judges 7:25; Judges…
This verse highlights God's immense power, not just over individuals, but over entire nations and their most powerful rulers. It’s easy to focus on the "mighty kings," but the phrase "great nations" is equally significant, pointing to God's ultimate sovereignty over even the largest and most established human empires.
This psalm is a call to praise God for His mighty acts, moving from His power over creation to His specific deliverance of Israel. Following verses that recount God striking down Egypt's firstborn and performing wonders, this verse highlights God's powerful victories in leading Israel to conquer the Promised Land, specifically mentioning the defeat of numerous nations and their powerful kings. This sets the stage for verses 11 and 12, which name Sihon and Og, and the subsequent gifting of their land to Israel as an inheritance.
This psalm is a call to praise God for His mighty acts, moving from His power over creation to His specific deliverance of Israel. Following verses that recount God striking down Egypt's firstborn and performing wonders, this verse highlights God's powerful victories in leading Israel to conquer the Promised Land, specifically mentioning the defeat of numerous nations and their powerful kings. This sets the stage for verses 11 and 12, which name Sihon and Og, and the subsequent gifting of their land to Israel as an inheritance.
"who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan, and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel." — This verse highlights God's immense power, not just over individuals, but over entire nations and their most powerful rulers. It’s easy to focus on the "mighty kings," but the phrase "great nations"…
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Last reviewed October 2026
