The Bible Says
Psalm 135:8-18 Meaning

Psalm 135:8-18 begins with the declaration: He smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast (v. 8). This verse recalls one of the most formidable events in Israel’s history: the final plague in Egypt. The Psalmist highlights God’s power in striking the firstborn of an entire nation, demonstrating that no barriers — human or animal — can stand against His will. In the biblical timeline, this event took place when God delivered Israel from enslavement in Egypt, traditionally dated to around 1446 BC, revealing His sovereign authority over life and death (Exodus 12:29).

Egypt was not only a powerful empire but also a center of religious influence in the ancient Near East. The land of the Nile boasted vast resources and served as a significant place of refuge and commerce for centuries. Yet here, God’s judgment came upon Egypt to force Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, to free the Israelites. Pharaoh was a title for Egyptian kings, and by striking Egypt’s firstborn, the Lord displayed His supremacy over both the human authorities and the so-called deities that protected the nation.

This judgment also foreshadows the greater redemption God provides in the fullness of time through Jesus, the ultimate deliverer. Just as Israel was saved from Pharaoh’s oppression, Christ offers salvation from the oppression of sin (Romans 8:2). In beholding God’s deliverance in Egypt, the faithful are encouraged to remember that God stands ready to deliver in every generation.

He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants (v. 9). Building on the previous verse, the Psalmist underscores the miraculous nature of God’s intervention. These signs and wonders included the plagues described in the Book of Exodus — turning the Nile into blood, bringing frogs, locusts, and other afflictions — all of which showcased God’s unparalleled power.

Pharaoh, likely from the 15th century BC if one follows a traditional dating of the Exodus, presided over a society that revered multiple gods tied to natural forces. Yet the Lord’s wonders proved His authority over every natural sphere, from water sources to weather patterns. These miracles cut through Egyptian society, reaching not only Pharaoh’s throne room but also the lives of his servants.

The lesson for believers is that God’s miraculous deeds reveal His nature and unshakable commitment to His people. Even when oppressive circumstances seem invincible, God’s wonders testify that He can upend any system to fulfill His purposes. This same power is evident in the New Testament, where Jesus performs signs and wonders to confirm the arrival of God’s Kingdom (John 20:30-31).

As the Psalmist shifts focus from Egypt to broader conquests, we see the sweep of God’s deliverance: He smote many nations And slew mighty kings (v. 10). History shows that numerous city-states and kingdoms rose and fell in the ancient Near East, often with impressive leadership and armies. Yet in Israel’s story, even these strong regimes could not stand in the way of the Lord’s plan.

By striking down many nations, God demonstrated that He alone holds the power to shape the fortunes of kingdoms. The Psalmist wants worshipers to recall how God cleared paths for His people, preparing them for the promised inheritance. This involved mighty acts that human power could neither rival nor replicate.

Such displays of divine might serve as reminders that God’s authority extends beyond a single realm or nation. His people, including those in Christ’s Church today, can trust that God remains involved in human history, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate design (Acts 17:26).

Next, the Psalmist remembers two prominent foes from the Israelites’ journey toward the Promised Land: Sihon, king of the Amorites, And Og, king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan (v. 11). Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, were formidable rulers around the late 15th century BC, known for their territory east of the Jordan River.

The Amorites occupied strategic highlands, making them challenging adversaries. Bashan lay to the north of Gilead, with Og ruling over a region noted for its fortified cities. Though these kings commanded what seemed like insurmountable forces, God led Israel to victory, affirming His promise that He “will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 3:21-22).

These historical details emphasize that when the Lord commits to securing blessings for His chosen people, even the most daunting obstacles lose their power. The New Testament echoes a similar theme of victory through trust in God’s promise: believers are “more than conquerors through Him” (to learn more about this declaration by the Apostle Paul, please read our commentary on Romans 8:36–39).

And He gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people (v. 12). After overcoming powerful nations, the next logical step in the divine plan was to distribute their lands to the Israelites. This inheritance aspect is crucial to the identity of Israel, demonstrating God’s tangible fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries earlier (Genesis 17:8).

Receiving the land was not a random stroke of fortune but the result of God’s covenant faithfulness. He pledged to settle His people in a region flowing with provision, and He delivered on that pledge in real time and space. For the ancient readers of this psalm, this was a testimony that God’s intentions never fail.

The concept of a heritage resonates in the broader biblical narrative with the notion that through Christ, believers inherit the Kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34). As Israel’s land pointed to their unique relationship with the Lord, followers of Jesus find an ultimate inheritance in the new heaven and new earth promised at the culmination of time (Revelation 21:1).

Your name, O LORD, is everlasting, Your remembrance, O LORD, throughout all generations (v. 13). The Psalmist exalts God’s eternal nature: His name is permanent, unlike earthly rulers whose prominence fades. This verse emphasizes that God’s reputation endures beyond any historical moment, continuing inexorably through every age.

The phrase all generations invites readers to reflect on how God’s acts and character are consistently recognized, taught, and worshiped, centuries after the events themselves have passed. Even long after the empire of Egypt or the reigns of Sihon and Og vanished, people still speak of the Lord with reverence.

In the Christian context, Jesus extends this notion by revealing the Father’s name, demonstrating that “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). God’s name endures not only in memory but in living relationship with those who trust in Him.

For the LORD will judge His people And will have compassion on His servants (v. 14). Judgment and compassion may seem like opposites, but here they coexist in God’s dealings with His own. The Psalmist reveals that God’s standards for His people are righteous, yet He also extends mercy, showing dedication to those who rely on Him.

The word judge can evoke a sense of finality, but it also implies God’s active governance. He holds His people accountable, correcting them to keep them from straying into self-destructive paths. At the same time, He provides compassionate covering during moments of failure or difficulty.

This interplay aligns with the New Testament teaching that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) and that Jesus Himself intercedes as a compassionate High Priest (to learn more about Christ’s ministry on our behalf and the assurance believers have to aproach God, please read our commentary on Hebrews 4:14–16). From the ancient Israelites to modern believers, God’s judgment fosters growth, paired with comforting grace.

Shifting focus from God’s majesty to the folly of false gods, the Psalmist asserts that idols lack true power or life: The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, The work of man's hands (v. 15). Though they may be crafted from precious metals, they remain mere artifacts of human effort.

In ancient cultures, idols were pervasive. Nations around Israel displayed elaborate sculptures and figurines as deities to be worshiped. Yet the Psalmist insists that these objects are hollow, incapable of genuine interaction or saving power.

This contrasts sharply with the living God, who engages with His people, performs redemptive acts, and holds creation in His hands. In a New Testament perspective, believers are warned against bowing to “the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25), reinforcing that only the living God merits adoration.

Continuing the critique of idols, the Psalmist illustrates their impotence, stating: They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see (v. 16). While modeled after living beings, these images fail to express any real communication or send forth wisdom.

This harsh condemnation of idols invites readers to question where they place their devotion. Israel’s God is described throughout Scripture as One who hears, speaks, and intervenes, while these man-made statues offer only silence.

From a spiritual perspective, true worship hinges on communion with a God who both sees and speaks. Jesus, for example, consistently addressed His Father, demonstrating that believers can have a dynamic, two-way relationship with God (John 17). Idols can never replicate this intimate interaction.

They have ears, but they do not hear, Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. (v. 17) Here, the Psalmist further reveals the deadness of idols, underscoring that they cannot receive prayers nor offer any response. The phrase no breath at all symbolizes the absolute void of life in these carved objects.

For ancient idol-worshipers, the notion of a non—hearing, non—speaking deity would have questioned the very purpose of religious devotion. Yet the inert nature of such gods highlights that genuine help and transformation come only from the living Lord.

Breath in Scripture often signifies life granted by God (Genesis 2:7). Idols lacking breath cannot confer life; only the Holy Spirit provides real spiritual vitality (Romans 8:11). Thus, the Lord stands apart as the true life-giver, marking a stark divide between Him and all false substitutes.

The Psalmist concludes this section by warning that if people shape their devotion around lifeless idols, they themselves become spiritually stagnant: Those who make them will be like them, Yes, everyone who trusts in them (v. 18). Devotion to something powerless results in an empty reflection of that object.

In biblical language, worship transforms the worshiper. When individuals bow to God, they grow in His righteousness and love (2 Corinthians 3:18). Conversely, those who worship idols inherit only the emptiness of what they revere.

This principle resonates through the scriptures, teaching that one’s ultimate allegiance shapes life’s outcome. By choosing to trust in the living God, believers align themselves with His truth and vitality, safeguarding against the futility that overtakes idol-worshipers.