Psalms 78:45

KJV

He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

KJV (with Strong's)

He sent {H7971}{H8762)} divers sorts of flies {H6157} among them, which devoured {H398}{H8799)} them; and frogs {H6854}, which destroyed {H7843}{H8686)} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.

Berean Standard Bible

He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.

American Standard Version

He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:45 vividly recounts two of the ten devastating plagues God unleashed upon ancient Egypt: the swarms of flies and the overwhelming invasion of frogs. These divine judgments served as powerful demonstrations of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to deliver His covenant people, Israel, from the oppressive bondage of Pharaoh, showcasing His justice against the hardened hearts of their adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, a didactic poem that meticulously recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and, in stark contrast, Israel's persistent unfaithfulness from the Exodus through the establishment of the monarchy. The psalmist, Asaph, employs this historical narrative not merely as a recounting of facts but as a profound theological lesson, designed to instruct the present generation (and future ones) about God's character and the consequences of obedience or rebellion. Verses 43-51 specifically detail the plagues God inflicted upon Egypt, serving as a powerful reminder of His omnipotence and His steadfast love for His covenant people, despite their rebellious nature. This particular verse, Psalms 78:45, is embedded within this sequence, highlighting God's direct intervention in the natural order to achieve His redemptive purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The plagues described in Psalm 78:45, originally found in the Book of Exodus, were not random acts of destruction but targeted judgments against the gods of Egypt and the very fabric of Egyptian society. Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic civilization, with a vast pantheon of deities associated with various aspects of nature and life. Pharaoh himself was considered a divine being, a living god. The plague of frogs (Exodus 8:1-15) directly challenged Heket, the frog-headed goddess of fertility and childbirth, demonstrating God's superior power over life itself. The plague of "divers sorts of flies" (Exodus 8:20-32), often understood as a severe swarm of biting insects or even wild animals, would have defiled the land and made life unbearable, challenging deities associated with order, the land, or even the sun god Ra, whose domain was disrupted by the chaotic swarms. These plagues systematically dismantled Egypt's spiritual and physical security, proving the impotence of their gods and the supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the eyes of both Egyptians and Israelites.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 78:45 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Judgment**, showcasing God's righteous wrath against those who oppose His will and oppress His people. The plagues were not arbitrary but precise demonstrations of God's justice against Pharaoh's hardened heart and Egypt's idolatry, as seen in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Purpose in Pharaoh's Stubbornness"). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**. By using natural elements—frogs and flies—in supernatural ways, God demonstrated His absolute control over all creation, bending it to His will to accomplish His purposes, a theme echoed in [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - God's Majesty in Creation"). Finally, and most crucially, these plagues served as the means for the **Deliverance of Israel**. While bringing destruction to Egypt, they simultaneously compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their brutal slavery, paving the way for their [Exodus from slavery](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - The Departure of the Israelites") and the establishment of their covenant relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **divers sorts of flies (Hebrew, _‘arov'_):** This Hebrew term (עָרֹב) literally means "mixture" or "swarm." While often translated as "flies," it is broadly interpreted by commentators to refer to a dense swarm of various biting insects (such as gnats, mosquitoes, or horseflies) or even a mixture of wild, predatory animals. The ambiguity emphasizes the overwhelming, chaotic, and pervasive nature of the plague, which would have brought immense distress, disease, and destruction to the Egyptians, including their livestock and crops. It highlights a plague that was not merely annoying but truly debilitating and consuming.
* **frogs (Hebrew, _tsephardea'_):** The Hebrew word (צְפַרְדֵּעַ) is straightforward, directly referring to frogs. The impact of this plague, as described in Exodus, was their sheer, unimaginable numbers, covering the entire land, entering homes, beds, ovens, and kneading troughs. This plague, while seemingly less "deadly" than others, would have brought immense defilement, disgust, and disruption to daily life, as frogs died and their carcasses putrefied, making the land unbearable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He sent divers sorts of flies among them":** This clause immediately establishes God as the active agent behind the plague. The use of "He" (referring to the Lord) emphasizes His direct and intentional intervention. The "divers sorts of flies" (or swarms) highlights the specific nature of this judgment, indicating a widespread infestation that affected the entire population of Egypt, distinguishing between them and the Israelites in Goshen (see [Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22 "Exodus 8:22-23 - Distinction Between Egyptians and Israelites")).
* **"which devoured them":** This phrase underscores the severe and destructive impact of the fly plague. The word "devoured" suggests not merely annoyance but a consuming, destructive force, implying damage to crops, livestock, and potentially even causing disease or death among the people, making their lives unbearable and demonstrating the plague's effectiveness in breaking Pharaoh's will.
* **"and frogs, which destroyed them":** This second part of the verse introduces the plague of frogs, linking it in severity and purpose to the flies. The term "destroyed them" (or "wasted them") emphasizes the overwhelming and ruinous nature of the frog infestation. While frogs themselves might not "devour" in the same way flies do, their sheer numbers, their presence everywhere, and their eventual death and decay would have rendered the land uninhabitable, defiled, and utterly miserable, effectively "destroying" the quality of life and the order of Egyptian society.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:45 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure, presenting two distinct plagues (flies and frogs) with similar destructive outcomes ("devoured them" and "destroyed them"), reinforcing the cumulative and comprehensive nature of God's judgment. The language itself, particularly "devoured them" and "destroyed them," uses a form of **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme and pervasive impact of these plagues, going beyond mere discomfort to total disruption and ruin. The psalm's overall function is that of a **Didactic Narrative**, using historical events to teach theological truths about God's character and Israel's relationship with Him. Finally, the direct statement "He sent" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (sending) to God, emphasizing His direct and personal involvement in the events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:45, in recounting the plagues of flies and frogs, serves as a powerful reminder of God's active involvement in human history, His unwavering commitment to justice, and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation. These plagues were not merely natural disasters but divinely orchestrated judgments, demonstrating God's power to both punish the wicked and deliver His chosen people. They reveal a God who is not distant or passive but intimately engaged in the affairs of humanity, using even the smallest creatures to accomplish His mighty purposes. This verse reinforces the biblical truth that God is the supreme authority, challenging all human and pagan claims to power, and that His covenant promises are steadfast, even in the face of human oppression and rebellion.

* [Exodus 8:2-6](/exodus/8-2 "Exodus 8:2-6 - The Plague of Frogs")
* [Exodus 8:21-24](/exodus/8-21 "Exodus 8:21-24 - The Plague of Flies")
* [Psalm 105:30-31](/psalms/105-30 "Psalm 105:30-31 - Another Account of the Plagues")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:45, situated within the larger narrative of God's historical dealings with Israel, invites us to reflect on the unchanging character of God. He is a God of justice who will not tolerate oppression indefinitely, and He is a God of power who can use any means necessary, even seemingly insignificant creatures, to accomplish His will. For believers, this verse offers profound comfort: if God so powerfully intervened to deliver ancient Israel from physical bondage, how much more can we trust Him to deliver us from spiritual bondage and to work all things for the good of those who love Him? It also serves as a sober warning to those who harden their hearts against God, reminding us that persistent disobedience has consequences. We are called to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty over all things, to humble ourselves before Him, and to trust in His perfect plan for justice and redemption, knowing that He is faithful to His promises and will ultimately set all things right.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's use of seemingly minor creatures (flies, frogs) to bring about major judgment challenge our perceptions of divine power?**
* **In what ways might we, like Pharaoh, be hardening our hearts against God's will, and what might be the consequences?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance strengthen our faith and trust in Him for present and future challenges?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific nature of the "divers sorts of flies" plague?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "divers sorts of flies," _‘arov_ (עָרֹב), literally means "mixture" or "swarm." While often translated simply as "flies," biblical scholars and ancient commentators suggest it could refer to a variety of biting insects such as gnats, mosquitoes, or horseflies, or even a mixture of wild, predatory animals. The key aspect was not just the type of creature but their overwhelming numbers and the pervasive nature of the plague. Unlike previous plagues, this one specifically affected the Egyptians but not the Israelites in Goshen, as detailed in [Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22 "Exodus 8:22-23 - Distinction Between Egyptians and Israelites"). This plague would have brought immense discomfort, disease, economic damage to livestock and crops, and a general sense of defilement and chaos, directly challenging Egyptian deities associated with order and the land.

**Why are the plagues of flies and frogs mentioned together in this single verse?**

Answer: Psalms 78:45 groups the plagues of flies and frogs together for several reasons. Firstly, in the original Exodus account, they occur in close succession (frogs are the second plague, flies the fourth), both demonstrating God's power over the natural world and His ability to bring widespread discomfort and destruction. Secondly, both plagues involved swarms of creatures that invaded every aspect of Egyptian life—homes, food, and even bodies—making life unbearable and defiling the land. The pairing emphasizes the escalating nature of God's judgment and the cumulative impact on Pharaoh's resolve. The psalmist's concise recounting serves to highlight God's systematic dismantling of Egypt's resistance through a series of increasingly severe and targeted judgments, ultimately leading to the [Exodus of Israel](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plagues recounted in Psalms 78:45, while historical judgments against Egypt, find their ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament plagues, including the flies and frogs, were God's powerful interventions to deliver His people from physical bondage and to demonstrate His sovereignty over all creation and all opposing powers. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate deliverer, not from physical slavery to an earthly Pharaoh, but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death, and from the dominion of Satan. Just as God "sent" the plagues to "devour" and "destroy" the power of Egypt, so God "sent" His Son, Jesus, to confront and ultimately defeat the powers of darkness. Christ's death on the cross is the ultimate judgment against sin, and His resurrection is the ultimate act of deliverance, freeing His people from the curse of the law and the grip of death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice accomplishes a far greater exodus—a spiritual liberation for all who believe. The plagues foreshadowed God's decisive victory; Christ embodies that victory, establishing His eternal kingdom and conquering all enemies, as prophesied in [Revelation 19](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Rider on the White Horse").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 8:21

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms [of flies] upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms [of flies], and also the ground whereon they [are].

Exodus 8:24

And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm [of flies] into the house of Pharaoh, and [into] his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm [of flies].

Psalms 105:30

Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

Psalms 105:31

He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, [and] lice in all their coasts.

Exodus 8:2

And if thou refuse to let [them] go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:

Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Revelation 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.