Psalms 136:10-12
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text doesn't just recount the plague; it frames it as an act of "steadfast love," emphasizing that God's mercy is not just about gentleness, but also about powerful, decisive action to deliver His people, even when it means judgment on oppressors. This highlights that God's love can be fierce, protecting His covenant with an unwavering strength that cuts through opposition.
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's enduring love, tracing His faithfulness from creation through Israel's tumultuous history. It specifically recalls God's judgment on Egypt by striking down their firstborn, a devastating plague that finally broke Pharaoh's resistance and led to Israel's liberation. This act, though severe, is presented as an essential part of God's covenant mercy, paving the way for His people's deliverance and their journey through the wilderness.
How can God's 'steadfast love' be associated with a devastating plague like the one that struck Egypt?
This verse presents a powerful contrast that can initially feel jarring: God's 'steadfast love' is directly linked to the destruction of Egypt's firstborn.
Love for Whom?
The key here is understanding who God's steadfast love is directed towards. The psalm is a song of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness to Israel. The plague on Egypt, while devastating, was the decisive act that secured Israel's freedom.
Covenant Faithfulness
The Hebrew word for 'steadfast love' (often translated as mercy, lovingkindness, or covenant loyalty) speaks of God's deep, abiding commitment to His people. This love isn't passive; it actively works to deliver and protect them, even if it means confronting and overcoming opposition. The destruction of Egypt's firstborn was a judgment on a nation that oppressed God's chosen people, and a necessary step for their liberation. It demonstrates that God's love for His covenant people can involve severe actions against those who stand in opposition to His will and His people's freedom.
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Was the destruction of Egypt's firstborn just an act of violence, or something more?
The plagues of Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn, were not random acts of cruelty. They were a demonstration of God's power and a catalyst for Israel's liberation from brutal slavery.
A Decisive Blow
Scripture presents this event as the final, irresistible force that broke Pharaoh's stubborn resistance. "The Egyptians urged the people... to hasten their departure." (Exodus 12:33). The Egyptians themselves, having experienced the devastation firsthand, wanted the Israelites gone.
God's Power Displayed
This event powerfully showcased God's sovereignty over life and death, and over the very fabric of Egyptian society and its gods. It was a judgment that served the purpose of deliverance. The psalm rightly praises God for this act as part of His ongoing story of faithfulness to Israel, as it directly led to their freedom and covenant relationship with Him.
Understand the original words
bekor · Hebrew Noun
The first-born male child or animal, often representing the strength or the first fruits of a family or flock. In the context of Egypt, this term signifies God’s judgment upon the nation’s pride and the specific claim He has over those who belong to Him.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The name for the people of God, descended from Jacob, chosen by Him to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to display His glory among the nations.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A covenant-based loyalty, faithfulness, and mercy that God demonstrates toward His people. It is His persistent, unmerited commitment to His promises.
yad chazaqah uzerowa netuyah · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A metaphor for God's sovereign power, authority, and ability to act decisively in history to deliver His people and judge His enemies.
The 'steadfast love' mentioned here is not just gentle affection; it's a powerful, covenant-keeping love demonstrated through judgment on oppressors and deliverance for God's chosen people. This act, though severe, was an essential part of God's plan to free His people and establish them as a nation.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery in Egypt, are miraculously delivered by God's mighty hand.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Plagues of Egypt culminate
The tenth and final plague, the death of Egypt's firstborn, leads Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites. This act of divine judgment is a pivotal moment in Israel's history and God's covenant faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Crossing the Red Sea
God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh's pursuing army. The waters then return, drowning Pharaoh and his forces.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
For forty years, God leads and sustains the Israelites through the harsh desert wilderness, providing for their needs and guiding their journey.
This passage directly describes the tenth plague, the striking of the firstborn in Egypt, setting the historical context for God's powerful act of deliverance mentioned in Psalms 136:10.
Exodus 12:31-33This shows the immediate aftermath of the plague on the firstborn, detailing Pharaoh's reluctant release of the Israelites, highlighting how this devastating judgment on Egypt was the catalyst for Israel's freedom.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8This verse emphasizes that God's choice of Israel wasn't due to their greatness, but out of His love and faithfulness, a concept that underpins His steadfast love even when it involves judgment on their oppressors.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4Paul uses the Exodus event, including passing through the Red Sea after the plagues, as a foundational example of God's deliverance and provision for His people, connecting the historical event to spiritual realities for the church.
Hebrews 12:5-11This passage speaks about God's discipline, explaining that even His judgments are expressions of His fatherly love aimed at producing righteousness and peace in those He loves, offering a perspective on why His 'steadfast love' can manifest in severe actions against enemies.
ellicottPsalms 136:10: "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
(10) For his mercy.— Here the refrain, after the mention of the destruction of the Egyptian first-born, and subsequently after that of war and slaughter, sounds harsh to Christian ears. But the word mercy ( khesed ) in the Hebrew motto implies distinctly covenant grace, that special favour of Jehovah in which the heathen did not share, and which was often most signally shown in their destruction.
clarkePsalms 136:10: "To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
Smote Egypt in their first-born - This was one of the heaviest of strokes: a great part of the rising generation was cut off; few but old persons and children left remaining.
The text doesn't just recount the plague; it frames it as an act of "steadfast love," emphasizing that God's mercy is not just about gentleness, but also about powerful, decisive action to deliver His people, even when it means judgment on oppressors. This highlights that God's love can be fierce, protecting His covenant with an unwavering strength that cuts through opposition.
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's enduring love, tracing His faithfulness from creation through Israel's tumultuous history. It specifically recalls God's judgment on Egypt by striking down their firstborn, a devastating plague that finally broke Pharaoh's resistance and led to Israel's liberation. This act, though severe, is presented as an essential part of God's covenant mercy, paving the way for His people's deliverance and their journey through the wilderness.
This psalm is a powerful declaration of God's enduring love, tracing His faithfulness from creation through Israel's tumultuous history. It specifically recalls God's judgment on Egypt by striking down their firstborn, a devastating plague that finally broke Pharaoh's resistance and led to Israel's liberation. This act, though severe, is presented as an essential part of God's covenant mercy, paving the way for His people's deliverance and their journey through the wilderness.
"to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for…" — The text doesn't just recount the plague; it frames it as an act of "steadfast love," emphasizing that God's mercy is not just about gentleness, but also about powerful, decisive action to deliver Hi…
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