Psalm 136:19
Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
The mention of "Sihon king of the Amorites" refers to a significant historical event in the history of Israel. Sihon was a powerful Amorite king who ruled over a large territory east of the Jordan River. The Amorites were a formidable people known for their strength and influence in the ancient Near East. The Israelites' victory over Sihon, as recorded in Numbers 21:21-31, was a pivotal moment in their journey to the Promised Land. This victory demonstrated God's power and faithfulness to His promises. The Hebrew root for "Sihon" is often associated with sweeping away or striking down, symbolizing the decisive nature of God's intervention on behalf of His people.

His loving devotion endures forever
This phrase is a recurring refrain throughout Psalm 136, emphasizing the steadfast and eternal nature of God's love and mercy. The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "chesed," which encompasses a deep, covenantal love characterized by loyalty, kindness, and faithfulness. It is a love that is not based on the worthiness of the recipient but on the character of God Himself. The phrase "endures forever" underscores the unchanging and perpetual nature of God's love. In the context of the Israelites' victory over Sihon, it serves as a reminder that God's covenantal love was the driving force behind their triumphs and deliverance. This enduring love is a source of hope and assurance for believers, affirming that God's faithfulness transcends time and circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sihon
Sihon was the king of the Amorites, a group of people who lived in the land east of the Jordan River. He is known for opposing the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land.

2. Amorites
A significant group of people in the Old Testament, often seen as adversaries to the Israelites. They occupied territories that the Israelites were commanded to conquer.

3. Israelites' Journey
The context of this verse is the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, where they encountered various kings and peoples, including Sihon, whom they defeated with God's help.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Battles
The defeat of Sihon illustrates God's control over nations and leaders. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their personal battles and challenges.

Enduring Loving Devotion
The repeated refrain "His loving devotion endures forever" reminds us of God's unchanging love and faithfulness, even in times of conflict and uncertainty.

Victory Through Obedience
The Israelites' victory over Sihon came through obedience to God's commands. Similarly, believers are called to follow God's guidance to experience spiritual victories.

Historical Faithfulness as Present Assurance
Reflecting on God's past faithfulness, as seen in the defeat of Sihon, can strengthen our faith and assurance in His present and future promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Sihon's defeat demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in our own lives, similar to His control over the events involving Sihon?

3. How does the phrase "His loving devotion endures forever" provide comfort and assurance in times of personal conflict or challenge?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' obedience in their encounter with Sihon that can be applied to our spiritual walk today?

5. How can reflecting on God's past victories in our lives encourage us to trust Him with our current and future challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21:21-31
This passage provides the historical account of the Israelites' encounter with Sihon, where they request passage through his land and are denied, leading to a battle in which Israel prevails.

Deuteronomy 2:24-37
This scripture recounts God's command to Moses to engage Sihon in battle, emphasizing God's role in delivering Sihon into Israel's hands.

Joshua 12:1-6
Lists the defeated kings, including Sihon, as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel.
A Song, a Solace, a Sermon, and a SummonsPsalm 136:1-26
Does His Mercy Endure Forever?S. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
God's Goodness and MercyR. Harris, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
Repetitions Many, But not VainS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Church's AntiphonS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Duty of Praise and ThanksgivingH. Bonar, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
The Eternity or God's GoodnessHomilistPsalm 136:1-26
From Egypt to CanaanS. Conway Psalm 136:10-25
Mercy in the Destruction of TyrantsHomilistPsalm 136:17-22
Sihon and Og, or Mercies in DetailPsalm 136:17-22
People
Amorites, Egyptians, Og, Pharaoh, Psalmist, Sihon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Amorite, Amorites, Endures, Endureth, Everlasting, Forever, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Sihon, Steadfast, Unchanging
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 136:1-20

     1035   God, faithfulness

Psalm 136:1-26

     1085   God, love of
     8352   thankfulness

Library
Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Ps. cxxxvi. 16 Come, children, on and forward! With us the Father goes; He leads us, and He guards us Through thousands of our foes: The sweetness and the glory, The sunlight of His eyes, Make all the desert places To glow as paradise. Lo! through the pathless midnight The fiery pillar leads, And onward goes the Shepherd Before the flock He feeds; Unquestioning, unfearing, The lambs may follow on, In quietness and confidence, Their eyes on Him alone. Come, children, on and
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
THE new Institution of the Lord's Supper did not finally close what passed at that Paschal Table. According to the Jewish Ritual, the Cup is filled a fourth time, and the remaining part of the Hallel [5717] repeated. Then follow, besides Ps. cxxxvi., a number of prayers and hymns, of which the comparatively late origin is not doubtful. The same remark applies even more strongly to what follows after the fourth Cup. But, so far as we can judge, the Institution of the Holy Supper was followed by the
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881

Gethsemane
We turn once more to follow the steps of Christ, now among the last He trod upon earth. The hymn,' with which the Paschal Supper ended, had been sung. Probably we are to understand this of the second portion of the Hallel, [5818] sung some time after the third Cup, or else of Psalm cxxxvi., which, in the present Ritual, stands near the end of the service. The last Discourses had been spoken, the last Prayer, that of Consecration, had been offered, and Jesus prepared to go forth out of the City, to
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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