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Psalm 135:8

He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.

6Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
7He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.
8He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.
9He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.
10He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings—
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← Psalm 135:7Psalm 135:9 →
Notice

The words “both of man and animal” make the scope of Egypt’s loss explicit, confronting the reader with the severity of YHWH’s judgment.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What is hardest for you to read in the words “both of man and animal”?

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What changes in your reading as the psalm moves from rain and wind to Egypt’s firstborn?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

8 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Exodus 12:29At midnight, the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who …Both texts recount the LORD striking Egypt’s firstborn, with Exodus naming the reach from Pharaoh’s household to the captive and livestock.
Psalm 78:51and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.Both psalms remember the striking of Egypt’s firstborn, with Psalm 78 describing them as the chief of Egypt’s strength.
Exodus 4:23and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”The death of the firstborn links these texts: Exodus records God’s warning after Pharaoh’s refusal, and the psalm recalls the judgment.
Exodus 11:5and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is …Both passages name human and animal firstborn in Egypt, with Exodus announcing the deaths that the psalm recounts.
Psalm 105:36He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood.Both psalms attribute the striking of the firstborn to God, remembering this judgment as part of his acts in Egypt.
Exodus 12:12For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments …Both texts identify the LORD as the one who strikes Egypt’s firstborn, explicitly including both people and animals.
Psalm 136:10to him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, for his loving kindness endures forever;Both psalms recount God striking Egypt’s firstborn; Psalm 136 joins that remembrance to its refrain about his enduring loving kindness.
Numbers 8:17For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified …Both passages recall God striking Egypt’s firstborn, while Numbers connects that day with his claim on Israel’s firstborn.
Where this verse fits

Sermon or Bible study notes. doubt.

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One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read Exodus 12:29 and note everyone the judgment reached

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Encouragement

You do not have to make this account sound gentle. These were deaths, and the psalm names YHWH as the one who struck Egypt’s firstborn.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 135:8. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 135 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).