Psalms 136:17
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
American King James Version (AKJV)
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever:
American Standard Version (ASV)
To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
To him who overcame great kings: for his mercy is unchanging for ever:
Webster's Revision
To him who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
World English Bible
To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;
English Revised Version (ERV)
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Barnes's Psalms 136:17 Bible Commentary
To him which smote great kings - On this passage see the notes at Psalm 135:10-12. There is little difference in the two places, except that here the statement is divided by the refrain, "For his mercy endureth forever." The idea in the whole passage, in view of the divine interposition in slaying the mighty kings, and in giving their land for a possession to the Hebrew people, is, that it was a proof of mercy and benevolence. It is benevolence to mankind and to the church of God - it is in the interests of humanity, of domestic peace, and of the charities of life, to remove wicked people from the world. This mercy may be manifested further, not merely in removing the wicked, but in transferring their possessions to those who will make a better use of them. Thus the possessions of these mighty kings, Sihon and Og, were transferred to the people of God, and lands which had been devoted to the service of blood, ambition, crime, pollution, and idolatry, became devoted to the service of religion and righteousness. In like manner, through the removal of a wicked man from the world by death, God may cause his wealth, accumulated by avarice and dishonesty, to be transferred to the hands of children who will make a good use of it - children converted as if in anticipation of this, and with a view to this. Among the highest expressions of mercy to the world may be, therefore, the removal of wicked princes in war - or the removal of wicked people, in other ranks of life, by death in any form.