Psalms 135:8

V.

GOD THE TERRIBLE TO ENEMIES OF ISRAEL

"Who smote the first-born of Egypt,

Both of man and beast;

Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of them, O Egypt,

Upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants;

Who smote many nations, and slew mighty kings,

Sihon king of the Amorites,

And Og king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan."

Beginning all the way back in Psalms 135:6 and running through Psalms 135:12 we have one long sentence, which we have broken up for purposes of this study. Kidner tells us that, "Practically every phrase in Psalms 135:8 through Psalms 135:12 is repeated word for word in the next psalm, Psalms 136:10,18-22)."[17]

Delitzsch called the message of these verses, "God is worthy to be praised as the Conqueror of the Land of Promise."[18]

The purpose of this paragraph is the presentation of the fifth argument calling for the praise of God. This is a brief reference to the long history of Israel, in which God had repeatedly destroyed their enemies: (1) The tenth plague against Egypt in the death of the first-born of both man and beast (Psalms 135:8); (2) all of the other nine plagues, called here, "signs and wonders" (Psalms 135:9); (3) the smiting of many nations (Psalms 135:10); (4) the slaying of mighty kings (Psalms 135:10); (5) particularly Sihon; and (6) Og (Psalms 135:11); and (7) All the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalms 135:11) - these are the seven events mentioned in this paragraph.

In my commentaries on the Pentateuch, and Joshua, we have written full discussions of all of the events mentioned here; and we shall be content with referring to those writings for any persons who may be interested in exploring them more fully. By no means all of God's wonderful deliverances of Israel by the destruction of their enemies are mentioned here; but these seven examples are cited as typical of the total number. One of the most wonderful examples of God's destroying Israel's enemies is that of the death of Sennacherib's army before the very walls of Jerusalem.

All such deliverances are brought to mind by the psalmist here for the purpose of eliciting praise of God from the hearts of grateful Israelites. Throughout the ages, every child of God will find many events in his life for which there is always due unceasing praise of God.

VI.

Alongside of God's terror to the enemies of his people, there was always the evidence of his loving mercy, benevolence, protection and concern for his people, Israel, in the context before us; but, in our own times, God's people are the New Israel which is the Church. This is cited here as the sixth reason for praising God.