Psalms 135:10

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Psalms 135:10 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings:

King James Version KJV

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

American Standard Version ASV

Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,

Bible in Basic English BBE

He overcame great nations, and put strong kings to death;

Free Bible Version FBV

He struck down many nations, he killed powerful kings, such as

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

He smote many nations, and slew mightie Kings:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Who smote many nations, and slew strong kings,

World English Bible WEB

He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who smote Egypt with their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Translation for Translators T4T

He destroyed many nations and the powerful kings who ruled them:

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:10

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 135:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB שֶֽׁ֭/הִכָּה גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֑ים וְ֝/הָרַ֗ג מְלָכִ֥ים עֲצוּמִֽים

שֶֽׁ֭/הִכָּה nâkâh H5221 to smite Rel | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

גּוֹיִ֣ם gôwy H1471 Gentile N-mp

רַבִּ֑ים rab H7227 many Adj

וְ֝/הָרַ֗ג hârag H2026 to kill Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

מְלָכִ֥ים melek H4428 King's N-mp

עֲצוּמִֽים ʻâtsûwm H6099 mighty Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:10

שֶֽׁ֭/הִכָּה nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Rel | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.

Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.

גּוֹיִ֣ם gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-mp

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

רַבִּ֑ים rab H7227 "many" Adj

This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.

Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly

Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.

וְ֝/הָרַ֗ג hârag H2026 "to kill" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain

Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.

מְלָכִ֥ים melek H4428 "King's" N-mp

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

עֲצוּמִֽים ʻâtsûwm H6099 "mighty" Adj

This word means mighty or powerful, often describing something as strong or numerous. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power and strength.

Definition: 1) mighty, vast, numerous 1a) mighty, strong (in number) 1b) numerous, countless

Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong. See also: Genesis 18:18; Proverbs 7:26; Psalms 10:10.

Study Notes — Psalms 135:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 135:10 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:10
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:10
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:10
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:10
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 135:10
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:10
Sermons on Psalms 135:10

Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD

8He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. 9He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.

10He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings:

11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. 12He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 136:17–22	He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. and slaughtered mighty kings— His loving devotion endures forever. Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever. and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever. a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.
2	Numbers 21:24	And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.
3	Psalms 44:2–3	With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out. For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

Psalms 135:10 Summary

This verse, Psalms 135:10, tells us that God is so powerful that He can defeat any nation or king. It reminds us of times in the Bible when God showed His power, like when He helped the Israelites defeat their enemies (as seen in Joshua 10:10-14). God's power over nations should make us trust Him more and be thankful for His protection (Psalms 91:4). It also reminds us that God is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, and one day, He will bring peace to all the nations of the world (Isaiah 2:4).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God 'struck down many nations'?

This phrase refers to God's judgment and conquest of various nations throughout history, as seen in verses like Psalms 135:11, which specifically mentions the kings of the Amorites, Bashan, and Canaan, and also in Exodus 15:6, which describes God's power in defeating the Egyptians.

Why did God slaughter 'mighty kings'?

The slaughter of mighty kings demonstrates God's supreme power and authority over all human leaders, emphasizing that no one is beyond His judgment or might, as stated in Psalms 2:10-12, where God warns kings to serve Him with fear.

Is this verse promoting violence?

This verse is not promoting violence but rather highlighting God's historical actions as a sovereign Judge who executes justice among the nations, as seen in Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3, where God's ultimate desire is peace and the cessation of war.

What is the significance of mentioning 'many nations'?

The mention of 'many nations' underscores God's universal rule and dominion over all peoples and lands, a theme that is also explored in Psalms 96:10 and Revelation 15:4, emphasizing God's global sovereignty and His plan for all nations.

Reflection Questions

How does the knowledge of God's power over nations affect my trust in Him for my personal life?
In what ways can I apply the concept of God's sovereignty over all kings and nations to my daily prayers and worship?
What does God's historical judgment of nations teach me about His character and how He views injustice?
How can I use this verse to encourage others about God's ultimate triumph over evil and chaos in the world?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:10

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings. Or "many nations" (l).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:10

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Who smote ... Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bushan - the first of the subdued kings, and among the most powerful (Amos 2:9-10).

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:10

Psalms 135:10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;Ver. 10. Who smote great nations] Who, by their great sins, had greatly polluted their land; and filled it with filth from one end to another, Ezra 9:11. And slew mighty kings] Heb. bony, big, massive fellows, quasi ossatos, sive torosos, as the word signifieth.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:10

10. great nations] Or, many nations. Cp. Deuteronomy 7:1.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 135:10

Who smote great nations ... - To wit, those specified in the following verse.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:10

10-12. Smote… nations—From the judgments of Egypt, the writer passes over the desert life of the Israelites, and proceeds to narrate the conquest of the land east of Jordan.

Sermons on Psalms 135:10

	Sermon	Description
	The Precious Blood and the Mighty Hand by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking inspiration from the Holy Spirit. After two weeks of struggling to find a message, he is guided to study love and