Psalm 105:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.

NIV: Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood.

NASB: He also fatally struck all the firstborn in their land, The first fruits of all their vigor.

CSB: He struck all the firstborn in their land, all their first progeny.

NLT: Then he killed the oldest son in each Egyptian home, the pride and joy of each family.

KJV: He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

NKJV: He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their strength.

Psalm 105:26–42 summarizes the exodus from Egypt. After centuries of slavery, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron as His messengers to free Israel. This involved numerous plagues, such as blood, darkness, frogs, flies, gnats, hail, and locusts. Worst and last was the death of Egypt's firstborn. This inspired Egypt to send Israel away with great wealth. As they traveled from Egypt, God provided the people with bread, meat, and water through miracles.

This song celebrates God's faithfulness as demonstrated in the history of the nation of Israel. God made promises to Abraham, which were carried along to his descendants through Isaac and Jacob. One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, would rise from slavery in Egypt to become the nation's governor. Israel moved into Egypt under Joseph's protection but fell into slavery. Then God sent Moses and a series of tremendous plagues to break Israel's slavery. God provided protection and food for the people in the wilderness and eventually brought them to the Promised Land. For this, the Lord ought to be worshipped.

Psalm 105 summarizes how God's chosen people came into Egypt and were rescued from slavery. God's first promises were to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–4). His descendant Joseph rose to power in Egypt (Genesis 41:39–40) and the entire people of Israel settled there (Genesis 47:11–12). After centuries of slavery (Exodus 1:8–14), God used Moses and tremendous miracles to free the people (Exodus 3:19–20; 12:41). After providing for them in the wilderness (Exodus 16:13–15; 17:5–6), the Lord brought Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan (Joshua 1:2–3). Psalm 106 emphasizes the nation's many failures, in contrast to the Lord's faithfulness.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/23/2024 5:41:27 AM