King James Version

What Does Psalms 135:11 Mean?

Psalms 135:11 in the King James Version says “Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: — study this verse from Psalms chapter 135 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

Psalms 135:11 · KJV


Context

9

Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

10

Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

11

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

12

And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

13

Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. throughout: Heb. to generation and generation


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Specific enemies are named: 'Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.' Sihon and Og become paradigmatic examples of defeated foes throughout Scripture (Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2-3; Joshua 2:10; Nehemiah 9:22). Sihon ruled the territory between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers; Og controlled Bashan in the northern Transjordan, and was remembered as a giant whose iron bedstead measured nine by four cubits (Deuteronomy 3:11). Their defeat opened the way for Israel's entry into the promised land. The phrase 'all the kingdoms of Canaan' summarizes the subsequent conquest under Joshua. These victories were not Israel's achievement but God's gift. Each name recalled a specific story of divine deliverance, encouraging worshipers to trust the same God for present challenges.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sihon and Og's defeats occurred during Moses' leadership, just before the Jordan crossing (Numbers 21). Their territories became the inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Ancient Israel rehearsed these victories regularly in worship; they appear in Deuteronomy's review, Joshua's speeches, Nehemiah's prayer, and multiple psalms (136:19-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's defeat of powerful kings demonstrate His sovereignty over human rulers?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's protection of His people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
לְסִיח֤וֹן׀1 of 9

Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ2 of 9

king

H4428

a king

הָאֱמֹרִ֗י3 of 9

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וּ֭לְעוֹג4 of 9

and Og

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מֶ֣לֶךְ5 of 9

king

H4428

a king

הַבָּשָׁ֑ן6 of 9

of Bashan

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

וּ֝לְכֹ֗ל7 of 9
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַמְלְכ֥וֹת8 of 9

and all the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

כְּנָֽעַן׃9 of 9

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 135:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 135:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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