Psalms 136:17

17 He killed powerful kings; his love is eternal;

Psalms 136:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 136:17

To him which smote great kings
Either the thirty one kings in the land of Canaan; or those who are after particularly mentioned; which seems best, since the kings of Canaan were petty kings, when these were greater ones;

for his mercy [endureth] for ever;
the smiting of those kings were in mercy to Israel; both to preserve them from falling into their hands, and that they might possess their countries, as is later declared.

Psalms 136:17 In-Context

15 but he drowned the king of Egypt and his army; his love is eternal.
16 He led his people through the desert; his love is eternal.
17 He killed powerful kings; his love is eternal;
18 he killed famous kings; his love is eternal;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites; his love is eternal;
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.