He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast; who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse doesn't just recount the plague of the firstborn; it highlights it as the ultimate demonstration of God's power, proving His superiority over Egyptian gods and securing His people's freedom. It shows God striking down not just people, but the very foundation of Egyptian society and identity, both human and animal, to demonstrate His unstoppable will.
He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast; who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm shifts from celebrating God's creation to recounting His mighty acts in history, specifically focusing on Israel's liberation from Egypt. The striking of Egypt's firstborn, a devastating plague, is highlighted as the ultimate blow that forced Pharaoh to release God's people, paving the way for their exodus and eventual settlement in the Promised Land.
Why does the Psalmist highlight the plague of the firstborn? This wasn't just any disaster; it was the devastating climax of God's judgment against Egypt.
The Final Blow
The tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, was the most stupendous of all the plagues. It wasn't just about causing suffering; it was the final, decisive blow that broke Pharaoh's will and forced him to let the Israelites go. This plague demonstrated that even the most precious and vulnerable in Egyptian society – their heirs and livestock – were not beyond the reach of God's power.
A Sign of Favor
For Israel, this horrific event was the moment of their deliverance. God's judgment on Egypt was simultaneously an act of salvation for His people. It marked the birth of Israel as a nation, set free from bondage. The Passover itself, where the Israelites were spared by the blood of the lamb, was a direct response to this plague, symbolizing protection through sacrifice.
We often think of God's power in terms of creation. But Psalm 135:8 points to a different kind of power – one that intervenes directly in history, even against the gods of other nations.
Divine Sovereignty on Display
Psalm 135 shifts from the wonders of creation (verses 5-7) to the "special works of providence" (verse 8 onwards). The striking of Egypt's firstborn wasn't just a natural disaster; it was a direct confrontation with the gods of Egypt. Each plague undermined the authority of a specific Egyptian deity. By striking the firstborn, God declared His supreme authority over life, death, and the very lineage of Egypt, including the gods they worshipped.
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Undermining False Gods
The commentary notes that Egypt was a 'theatre of the grand contest between the God of Israel and the gods of the heathen.' The miracles in Egypt, culminating in this plague, weren't merely acts of power, but divine demonstrations that Jehovah was superior to all the supposed powers that Egyptians revered. The gods of Egypt couldn't protect their people or their firstborn, proving their impotence in the face of the one true God.
Understand the original words
bekor · Hebrew Noun
The firstborn child or animal, which in the ancient Near East held a position of priority, legal privilege, and representative honor. In a biblical context, the firstborn often signifies the one who stands for the entire household or nation.
oth · Hebrew Noun
A miraculous event or act of power performed by God that serves as a divine authentication of His message, a call to repentance, or a judgment upon the rebellious. These are intended to reveal God’s character and sovereignty to both His people and the nations.
mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary events or miracles that produce awe and astonishment. In Scripture, these are often associated with God’s deliverances or judgments, highlighting His supernatural intervention in human history.
par'oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The title of the monarchs of ancient Egypt, representing the pinnacle of worldly power and institutional opposition to God and His people. It symbolizes the pride of human empires that stand in defiance of the Creator.
This verse points to a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the Exodus from Egypt. By recounting God's power in delivering His people and punishing their oppressors, the psalm calls them to remember and praise Him for His mighty acts.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
Following a series of ten devastating plagues, God's people were finally released from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt. This event marks their liberation and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
The Passover
As the final plague, God struck down the firstborn of Egypt. The Israelites were spared by marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice.
c. 1445 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
After their miraculous exodus, the Israelites wandered in the Sinai desert for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. During this time, God continued to provide for and guide them.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Led by Joshua, the Israelites entered and conquered the land of Canaan, defeating various kings and nations that inhabited it. This fulfilled God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1406 BC
Distribution of the Land
After the conquest, the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing them as a settled people in the land God had given them.
This passage directly describes the tenth plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn, which is the historical event referenced in Psalms 135:8. It highlights God's decisive action to bring about Israel's deliverance.
Exodus 12:12-13This passage connects the plague on the firstborn to God's judgment and salvation, explaining that the blood of the Passover lamb was a sign for protection. It shows how God's judgment on Egypt was directly linked to the liberation of His people, underscoring the saving aspect of this 'striking down'.
Numbers 33:3-4This passage recounts God's judgment on Egypt in relation to the Exodus. It explicitly mentions God executing judgments against the gods of Egypt and striking down their firstborn, reinforcing the theme of God's power over pagan deities and His sovereign actions in history.
Psalm 136:10This verse immediately follows Psalms 135:8 in the same psalm, reiterating the theme of God striking the firstborn of Egypt and its significance for His steadfast love. It emphasizes that this act was a demonstration of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness to His people.
Hebrews 11:28This New Testament passage frames the Passover and the plague of the firstborn as acts of faith by Moses. It presents the event not just as a historical occurrence but as a pivotal moment where obedience and faith led to salvation from physical death and bondage.
ellicottPsalms 135:8: "Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast."
(8) Egypt. —This abrupt change from the miracles of nature to the marvels of history is apparently copied from the next psalm, where see Note, Psalm 135:10 .
cambridgePsalms 135:8: "Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast."
8–12 . Jehovah’s sovereignty exhibited in the deliverance of His people from Egypt and their establishment in the land of Canaan.
This verse doesn't just recount the plague of the firstborn; it highlights it as the ultimate demonstration of God's power, proving His superiority over Egyptian gods and securing His people's freedom. It shows God striking down not just people, but the very foundation of Egyptian society and identity, both human and animal, to demonstrate His unstoppable will.
This psalm shifts from celebrating God's creation to recounting His mighty acts in history, specifically focusing on Israel's liberation from Egypt. The striking of Egypt's firstborn, a devastating plague, is highlighted as the ultimate blow that forced Pharaoh to release God's people, paving the way for their exodus and eventual settlement in the Promised Land.
This psalm shifts from celebrating God's creation to recounting His mighty acts in history, specifically focusing on Israel's liberation from Egypt. The striking of Egypt's firstborn, a devastating plague, is highlighted as the ultimate blow that forced Pharaoh to release God's people, paving the way for their exodus and eventual settlement in the Promised Land.
"He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast; who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;" — This verse doesn't just recount the plague of the firstborn; it highlights it as the ultimate demonstration of God's power, proving His superiority over Egyptian gods and securing His people's freedo…
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Last reviewed October 2026