Psalms 135:11-12 Meaning: Sihon and Og
11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
11Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.
11Even Sihon king of the Amorite, And Og king of Bashan, And all kingdoms of Canaan.
12And He gave their land an inheritance, An inheritance to Israel His people,
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan;
12And gave their land for an inheritance, an inheritance unto Israel his people.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 135:11-12 recalls Sihon and Og, two powerful kings God defeated to give Israel the Promised Land. Learn why they are named.
Context
Psalm 135 is a grand call to praise. The singer moves from God's power in creation, clouds, lightning, wind, to his work in history. Verses 8 and 9 recall the plagues that freed Israel from Egypt. Then the psalm narrows to the conquest of Canaan: God struck great nations and killed mighty kings. Verses 11 and 12 name two of those kings, Sihon and Og, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. The point is not just a history lesson. The psalmist is showing why God alone deserves worship. These kings were real, their power was known, and God gave their land away as a gift to his people.
Key Words
Two Hebrew words carry the weight here. Nachalah means "inheritance" or "heritage." The psalmist says it twice: God gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel. This is not something Israel earned. An inheritance is a gift passed down, usually from a father. God gave the land the way a parent gives a home to a child. The word natan ("gave") underlines that God is the active giver. He did not assist Israel in taking the land. He gave it. And the kings named, Sihon and Og, represent the real obstacles God overcame. They were not small chiefs. Og was a giant, with a bed of iron over nine cubits long (Deuteronomy 3:11). By naming them, the psalm shows that no matter how large the enemy, God's gift of land stands.
How Christians Read This Verse
Matthew Henry wrote that this psalm presents God's "aweful praises" and that the defeat of these kings is proof of God's greatness. John Calvin saw the passage as a contrast between idols and the true God who gave "clear and indubitable proofs" of his power. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, treated Sihon and Og as types of spiritual enemies Christ defeats, and the land as a picture of heaven. Across these traditions, the names are understood as historical reminders of God's faithfulness, not poetry. Whether one reads the passage as a call to worship or as a promise of eternal inheritance, the common thread is this: God keeps his word, and he does it against every opposing force.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that these verses are just a boring list of old names. In fact, the psalmist chose Sihon and Og deliberately because they were the most feared kings Israel faced. Og was the last of the Rephaim, a giant; Sihon refused Israel passage and attacked first. By naming them, the writer says: this God defeated the very enemies you most remember. The names are not trivia, they are evidence.
Living This Out
Think of one obstacle that feels too big for you right now. Maybe it is a strained relationship, a financial worry, or a fear about the future. Sihon and Og were the giants of their day, and God gave their land away. He does not always remove obstacles quickly, but he is the giver of every good inheritance. This week, write down one specific thing God has given you that you did not earn, a friendship, a skill, a home. Thank him for it. Then ask him to help you trust that he sees your big obstacle too. The same God who gave Canaan gives grace for today.
Main takeaway: God gives his people an inheritance by defeating every enemy that stands in the way of his promises.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God gave the people of Israel a land to live in. He made sure no bad kings could stop them. God takes care of His people.
For ages 9, 12
When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they faced powerful kings like Sihon and Og. But God was stronger than all of them. He gave the land to Israel as a gift, because He keeps His promises. This reminds us that God is faithful and gives us good things we do not earn.
Questions People Ask
Why are Sihon and Og mentioned specifically in Psalm 135?
Sihon and Og were two of the most powerful kings the Israelites faced when entering Canaan. Og was a giant of the Rephaim, and Sihon attacked Israel when they asked to pass through. By naming them, the psalmist shows that God defeated even the strongest enemies to give Israel the land.
What does the word 'heritage' mean in this context?
The Hebrew word is nachalah, meaning an inheritance or possession passed down as a gift. The psalmist repeats it twice to stress that the land was not earned by Israel but given by God. It is a family gift from a faithful Father.
How does this passage connect to the rest of Psalm 135?
The psalm moves from creation to the exodus to the conquest, showing God's power in every area. Verses 11-12 are a specific example of God's sovereignty over nations. This leads directly into verses 13-18, which contrast the living God with powerless idols.
What does this teach about God's character?
It shows God as a promise-keeper who acts in history. He is stronger than any human ruler, and he gives generously. The land was a tangible sign of his covenant faithfulness, and the naming of actual kings proves that our trust is in a God who works in real time and real places.
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