Psalms 105:28

Psalms 105:28 reads, "He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word." This verse is part of a larger historical psalm that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel, particularly through the Exodus events and the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn of praise, chronicling God's mighty acts on behalf of His chosen people, Israel, from the time of Abraham through their deliverance from Egypt and settlement in Canaan. Verses 27-36 detail the plagues God brought upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Specifically, verse 28 refers to the ninth plague, the plague of thick darkness that covered the land of Egypt for three days, as recorded in Exodus 10:21-23. This plague was unique in its psychological impact and its demonstration of God's sovereignty over even the sun god Ra, worshipped by the Egyptians.

Meaning and Interpretation

The first part of the verse, "He sent darkness, and made it dark," clearly identifies God as the active agent behind the plague. It underscores His absolute power and control over creation, able to command light and darkness at will. The second part, "and they rebelled not against his word," is crucial for understanding this verse. While some interpretations suggest "they" refers to the darkness or the elements themselves, obeying God's command without resistance, the most widely accepted and contextually fitting interpretation is that "they" refers to God's servants, Moses and Aaron. Throughout the narrative of the plagues, despite the immense pressure, danger, and the severity of the judgments they were tasked to announce, Moses and Aaron remained faithful and obedient to every command God gave them. They did not "rebel" (Hebrew: marah, meaning to be rebellious, disobedient, or contentious) against His word, even when it meant confronting the most powerful ruler of their time and enduring the unfolding divine wrath.

Key Themes

• God's Sovereign Power: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute dominion over nature and His ability to execute judgment. The darkness was not a natural phenomenon but a direct act of divine intervention, demonstrating His control over all things.
• Obedience of God's Servants: The faithfulness of Moses and Aaron, even in the midst of terrifying plagues and opposition, highlights the importance of unwavering obedience to God's commands. Their non-rebellion stands in stark contrast to Pharaoh's persistent defiance.
• Divine Judgment: The plague of darkness served as a specific judgment against the sun god Ra, a prominent deity in Egyptian mythology, exposing the impotence of false gods before the one true God. It was a clear sign of God's wrath against Egypt's oppression of His people.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "rebelled" is marah (מָרָה), which conveys the sense of being rebellious, disobedient, or contentious. The phrase "rebelled not against his word" emphasizes the complete submission and faithfulness of Moses and Aaron to God's instructions, a critical characteristic for those chosen to carry out His divine will.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers of several important truths:

• Trust in God's Control: Just as God commanded darkness, He is sovereign over all circumstances in our lives. We can trust that He is working His purposes, even when things appear dark or challenging.
• The Call to Obedience: The example of Moses and Aaron challenges us to examine our own level of obedience to God's word. True faith often involves obeying God even when it is difficult or counter-intuitive.
• God's Justice: The plagues, including the darkness, demonstrate God's unwavering justice against sin and oppression. While He is merciful, He is also just and will ultimately bring all things into account.