Psalms 136:17
Psalms 136:17 in Multiple Translations
He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever.
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever;
To him who overcame great kings: for his mercy is unchanging for ever:
To him who struck down powerful kings. For his trustworthy love lasts forever.
Which smote great Kings: for his mercie endureth for euer:
To Him smiting great kings, For to the age [is] His kindness.
to him who struck great kings, for his loving kindness endures forever;
To him who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
He killed powerful kings; his faithful love for us endures forever.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 136:17
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 136:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ֭/מַכֵּה
מְלָכִ֣ים
גְּדֹלִ֑ים
כִּ֖י
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
חַסְדּֽ/וֹ
לְ֭/מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Prep | V-Hiphil
מְלָכִ֣ים
melek
H4428
King's
N-mp
גְּדֹלִ֑ים
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
כִּ֖י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
forever
Prep | N-ms
חַסְדּֽ/וֹ
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 136:17
לְ֭/מַכֵּה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Prep | V-Hiphil
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.
מְלָכִ֣ים
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.
גְּדֹלִ֑ים
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
כִּ֖י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
"forever"
Prep | N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
חַסְדּֽ/וֹ
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 136:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 136:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 136:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 136:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 136:17
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 136:17
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 136:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 136:17
- Sermons on Psalms 136:17
Context — His Loving Devotion Endures Forever
15but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.
16He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.
17He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever.
18and slaughtered mighty kings— His loving devotion endures forever. 19Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 135:10–12 | He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel. |
| 2 | Joshua 12:1–24 | Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites struck down and whose lands they took beyond the Jordan to the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward: Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead, as well as the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah. And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei. He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all of Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon. Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had struck them down and given their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (according to the allotments to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave them as an inheritance the hill country, the foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites): the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one; the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one; and the king of Tirzah, one. So there were thirty-one kings in all. |
Psalms 136:17 Summary
This verse tells us that God is powerful and can defeat even the strongest kings, and that He does this because of His great love for His people. This love is not just for a short time, but it lasts forever, as we see in Psalms 136:15 and Psalms 136:16. Just like God helped His people in the past, He can help us today when we are facing difficult situations, as promised in Isaiah 41:10. We can trust in God's loving devotion and power to deliver us, just like He did for the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God struck down great kings?
This refers to the mighty acts of God in defeating powerful rulers who opposed His people, as seen in the stories of Exodus and other historical accounts in the Bible, such as the defeat of Pharaoh in Exodus 14:28 and the conquest of Canaan in Joshua 12:7-24.
Why does the verse repeat 'His loving devotion endures forever'?
This phrase is a refrain throughout Psalm 136, emphasizing God's eternal and unwavering love for His people, as also seen in verses like Psalms 136:15 and Psalms 136:16, and is a reminder of His faithfulness and covenant promises, such as in Deuteronomy 7:9.
What is the significance of God's action against great kings?
God's action against great kings demonstrates His power and authority over all nations and rulers, as stated in Daniel 4:17, and serves as a reminder of His sovereignty and ability to deliver His people from any enemy, as seen in Isaiah 43:13.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that God is still the same powerful and loving God who delivers His people, and we can trust in His faithfulness and loving devotion in our own lives, as encouraged in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has demonstrated His power and loving devotion in my life, and how can I express gratitude for these blessings?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and deliverance when faced with challenging circumstances, and what Bible verses can I turn to for encouragement?
- What are some ways that I can reflect God's loving devotion to others, and how can I demonstrate His love in my community?
- What does it mean for God's loving devotion to 'endure forever', and how can I apply this truth to my own faith journey?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 136:17
To him which smote great kings,.... Either the thirty one kings in the land of Canaan; or those who are after particularly mentioned; which seems best, since the kings of Canaan were petty kings,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 136:17
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: To him which smote great kings ... Sihon ... And Og - (Psalms 135:11.) The Psalmist signifies these kings because the MERCY of the Lord is here his theme.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 136:17
Psalms 136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:Ver. 17. To him which smote great kings] Great, as those times accounted them, when every small city almost had their king; Canaan had thirty and more of them. Great also in regard of their stature and strength; for they were of the giant’ s race, Deuteronomy 3:11-13 Amos 2:1
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 136:17
16–22. Jehovah the Giver of the promised land. Cp. Psalms 135:10 ff.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 136:17
To him which smote great kings - On this passage see the notes at Psalms 135:10-12.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 136:17
17-21. On these verses see notes on Psalms 135:10-12. It is possible, as some have hinted, that Sihon and Og, with their powerful kingdoms, are here specially alluded to, because these rich
Sermons on Psalms 136:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Joshua 1 - 13 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the themes of faith, obedience, and the spiritual journey of the Israelites as they prepare to cross the Jordan into Canaan. He emphasizes the importance |