Psalm 105:36

Modern

Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Traditional

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

Literal

And He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Latin

Et percussit omne primogenitum in terra eorum, primitias omnis laboris eorum.

Hebrew

English

Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

The psalmist tells the story of Moses and the plagues in Egypt (see Exodus 7:20–12:30).

This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys:
- from Ur to Canaan (Psalm 105:12),
- to Egypt (Psalm 105:17, 23),
- through the wilderness (Psalm 105:37, 41), and
- back to Canaan (Psalm 105:44).
These events fulfilled the Lord's promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:9, 42), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering turned into glory, serves as a model of encouragement for Israel (Psalm 105:16–25).
Psalm 105:1–15 (along with 96; 106:1, 47–48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16.

Theme notes and profiles

Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.
Psalm 136:10
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.
Genesis 49:3
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Exodus 4:23
…and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
Psalm 135:8
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.
Exodus 12:29–30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.
Exodus 11:4–5
So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,
Exodus 12:12
On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
Psalm 78:51
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.