Psalms 78:51

51 God killed all the firstborn sons in Egypt, the oldest son of each family of Ham.

Psalms 78:51 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt
From the prince to the peasant; and not only the firstborn of men, but of beasts also, ( Exodus 12:29 ) ,

the chief of their strength;
or first of it, as the firstborn is called, ( Genesis 49:3 ) ,

in the tabernacles of Ham;
in the several cities, towns, villages, and houses of the Egyptians, the descendants of cursed Ham; for Mizraim, from whom the Egyptians have their name, and from whence they sprung, was a son of Ham's, ( Genesis 10:6 ) . Perhaps No Ammon may be particularly meant, ( Nahum 3:8 ) , the same with Memphis, and which signifies the mansion or palace of Ammon, that is, Ham; and so Chemmis, another city in Egypt, signifies the same ^F14; of which see ( Psalms 105:23 ) this was the tenth and last plague: according to Suidas ^F15, the plagues of Egypt continued forty days.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Dickinson Delph. Phoeniciz. cap. 4.
F15 In voce (aiguptou) .

Psalms 78:51 In-Context

49 He showed them his hot anger. He sent his strong anger against them, his destroying angels.

50 He found a way to show his anger. He did not keep them from dying but let them die by a terrible disease.

51 God killed all the firstborn sons in Egypt, the oldest son of each family of Ham.

52 But God led his people out like sheep and he guided them like a flock through the desert.

53 He led them to safety so they had nothing to fear, but their enemies drowned in the sea.