“Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:”
Sihon, king of the Amorites, was one of the primary Transjordanic rulers defeated during Israel's wilderness wanderings (Numbers 21). The specific naming grounds the abstract language of verses 17-18 in concrete historical events. Sihon's defeat was the first major military victory in the conquest account, demonstrating God's power to overcome opposition. This verse begins a series of specific examples illustrating the broader principle that God overcomes rulers and kings.
Church Fathers on Psalms 136:19
1. “Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures for ever” Psalm 135:1. This Psalm contains the praise of God, and all its verses finish in the same way. Wherefore although many things are related here in praise of God, yet His mercy is most commended; for without this plain commendation, he, whom the Holy Spirit used to utter this Psalm, would have no verse be ended. Although after the judgment, by which at the end of the world the quick and the dead must…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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