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Psalm 136:10

to him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, for his loving kindness endures forever;

8the sun to rule by day, for his loving kindness endures forever;
9the moon and stars to rule by night, for his loving kindness endures forever;
10to him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, for his loving kindness endures forever;
11and brought out Israel from among them, for his loving kindness endures forever;
12with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, for his loving kindness endures forever;
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← Psalm 136:9Psalm 136:11 →
Notice

The deaths of Egypt’s firstborn make the repeated words about enduring loving kindness hard to pass over, especially as the next line names Israel’s deliverance.

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

What is hardest for you to read about the firstborn dying within this song of praise?

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How does the next line about Israel’s departure shape your reading of God’s loving kindness here?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

9 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 name God striking Egypt’s firstborn; Exodus describes the deaths reaching from Pharaoh’s household to the captive’s.
Psalm 78:51and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.Both psalms recount God striking Egypt’s firstborn, with Psalm 78 describing them as the chief of Egypt’s strength.
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 …Exodus announces the death of Egypt’s firstborn, while Psalm 136 remembers that judgment within its praise of God.
Psalm 135:8He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal.Both psalms name God as the one who struck Egypt’s firstborn; Psalm 135 specifies humans and animals.
Psalm 56:1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for …The shared thread is God’s mercy: Psalm 56 asks for it under attack, while Psalm 136 declares his enduring loving kindness.
Psalm 105:36He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood.Both psalms recall God striking the firstborn, with Psalm 105 describing those killed as the first fruits of their manhood.
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 …Exodus declares God’s coming judgment on Egypt’s firstborn and gods; Psalm 136 recalls the striking of the firstborn.
Joshua 24:5“‘I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.Both recall God’s action against Egypt, though Joshua names the plagues in general and Psalm 136 singles out the firstborn.
Hebrews 11:28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.Both refer to the death of the firstborn; Hebrews emphasizes Passover faith and protection, while Psalm 136 names those struck down.
Where this verse fits

Sermon or Bible study notes. doubt. praise and worship.

What the Bible says about doubt →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read Psalm 136:10–12 and note each act of God

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Encouragement

This account of judgment belongs to Israel’s deliverance; it gives no license for personal vengeance. The psalm names the deaths and still confesses that God’s loving kindness endures forever.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 136:10. 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 136 · 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).