Father of Great Lights and death

Psalm 136. 7-9 reads,

to him who made the great lights,   for his steadfast love endures forever;the sun to rule over the day,   for his steadfast love endures forever;the moon and the stars to rule over the night,   for his steadfast love endures forever

Then verse 10a reads,

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt...

Definitely never going to hear that in a hymn, am I right? The only deaths Christians like to talk about are death of sin, and Christ's death (we need to hear more about his Resurrection).

But that's what God did. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, and the psalmist in 10b continues for his steadfast love endures forever. Because why shouldn't it? I could be wrong, but I don't think the psalmist rejoices in the death of hundreds or thousands of firstborns, I do think, however, (because he keeps repeating 'for his steadfast love endures forever') that he is rejoicing in God's steadfast love despite troubling circumstances. When the Hebrews were slaves to the Egyptians, God promised to save them, and he did in such unexpected, unrepeatable ways...

I'm not saying that I deny God's steadfast love, or for faithfulness to fulfill his promises, I just wonder at his methods. But then... Isaiah 55.8,

' "For my [God] thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. ' 

I don't know what comfort that should bring me, certainly not the kind of fluffy, cushioned comfort of feather beds, but comfort that I have a firm grasp on this mountain I'm trying to climb. Now, if only my legs would steady themselves.




If God will do anything to protect me, a Gentile, how much more so will he protect his Chosen People? Right? Am I walking into a trap, here?