What Does Psalm 136:18 Mean in the King James?

And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:18 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Mighty kings can be slain; the line names faithful love as what endures.

THE MEANING

This verse puts the violence of power’s collapse in full view: mighty kings are slain. It names faithful love as what continues through the ages, outlasting rulers who seem to shape the world. The killing stays visible, while power loses its claim to permanence.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie is that power guarantees permanence; this verse says even mighty kings can be slain, while faithful love endures.

THE ROOT

חַסְדּוֹ

ḥasdô

GROWS FROM

ח־ס־ד

Faithful kindness and loyalty expressed through action.

“mercy” in this verse is ḥasdô. The word ⁨חַסְדּוֹ⁩ (ḥasdô, “his faithful love”) names more than a tender feeling: it is active loyalty that remains after the kings are gone. The verse does not erase the killing; it sets mortal power beside love that continues through the ages.

ALSO GROWS

ḥāsad: To act with kindness or faithful love.

חָסַד

This verb gives chesed an active force: the love in the verse is something enacted, not merely felt.

ḥāsîd: A faithful or devoted person.

חָסִיד

This related word describes a person by the quality of steadfastness, echoing the loyalty that outlasts the kings.

THE PATTERN

Human strength and splendor pass, while what is rooted in the LORD’s faithful purpose endures.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalm 103:15 · KJVHuman flourishing is real but brief, placing mortal life beside what lasts.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

Psalm 103:17 · KJVThe LORD’s faithful love continues across generations, beyond the span of any ruler.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1 Peter 1:25 · KJVThe word of the Lord remains when human glory fades, expressing the same contrast between passing power and what endures.

THE THREAD

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3 · KJV

The word rendered “lovingkindness” is ⁨חֶסֶד⁩ (ḥesed), faithful love, the same root behind this verse’s “mercy.” Jeremiah shows that love drawing you; Psalm 136 holds it steady beside the killing of mighty kings.

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