“Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;”
He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings. This verse generalizes beyond Egypt to present God's judgment against nations more broadly, asserting His authority over the international order. The term many nations emphasizes the scope of divine power; God's action extends beyond one context to encompass geopolitical reality. Mighty kings were the supreme representatives of human power in the ancient world; their death demonstrates that even the most powerful human figures fall before God's judgment. This verse situates Israel's conquest of Canaan within a broader theological narrative of God's judgment against pagan powers. The killing of kings (though not named specifically) suggests that these are exemplary instances of a broader pattern. This verse asserts that all historical processes, from individual national conflicts to broader geopolitical shifts, remain under God's control.
Church Fathers on Psalms 135:10
1. Very pleasant ought it be to us, and we should rejoice because it is pleasant, to which this Psalm exhorts us. For it says, “Praise the name of the Lord” Psalm 134:1. And it immediately appends the reason, why it is just to praise the name of the Lord. “Praise the Lord, you servants.” What more just? What more worthy? What more thankful?...For if He teaches His own servants who have deserved well of Him, the preachers of His Word, the rulers of His Church, the worshippers…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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