Psalms 105:31

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

He spake {H559}, and there came {H935} divers sorts of flies {H6157}, and lice {H3654} in all their coasts {H1366}.

He spoke, and there came swarms of insects and lice throughout their land.

He spoke, and insects swarmed— gnats throughout their country.

He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 105:31 (KJV)

Psalms 105:31 is a concise summary of two significant plagues God brought upon ancient Egypt during the Exodus, demonstrating His power and unwavering commitment to His covenant people. This verse states: "He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, [and] lice in all their coasts."

Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham through the Exodus and the wilderness journey. The psalm aims to remind the Israelites of God's mighty acts and His eternal covenant promises. Verses 26-38 specifically detail the miraculous plagues sent upon Egypt as God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, paving the way for Israel's liberation. This particular verse highlights the third and fourth plagues, showcasing God's direct and immediate control over creation in response to His spoken word.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: The phrase "He spake" powerfully emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty. His word alone is sufficient to unleash devastating natural forces, demonstrating that no earthly ruler or power can withstand Him. This immediate execution of His command underscores His omnipotence.
  • Divine Judgment: The plagues were not random acts but precise judgments against Egypt for their oppression of Israel and their idolatry. The plagues of flies and lice (or gnats) were particularly humiliating, affecting all aspects of Egyptian life and even their religious practices, as the Egyptian priests could not stand before Moses due to the lice (Exodus 8:17).
  • God's Deliverance of Israel: Ultimately, these plagues served God's larger purpose of compelling Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Each plague was a step towards the deliverance of His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

  • "divers sorts of flies": The Hebrew word here is 'arov (עָרֹב), often translated as "swarms of flies" or "dog-flies." This was the fourth plague (Exodus 8:20-24), characterized by dense swarms of noxious insects that invaded homes and the land, but notably, they did not affect the land of Goshen where the Israelites dwelt.
  • "lice": The Hebrew term is kinnim (כִּנִּים), commonly rendered as "gnats" or "mosquitoes." This was the third plague (Exodus 8:16-19). It was significant because the Egyptian magicians, who had replicated the first two plagues, were unable to reproduce this one, declaring it to be "the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19).

Reflection and Application

Psalms 105:31 reminds us that God's word is effective and powerful, capable of bringing about His will in creation and history. For believers today, this verse reinforces the truth that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or overwhelming. He is a God of justice who will act on behalf of His people and fulfill His promises. It encourages us to trust in His sovereign power and to remember His faithfulness throughout history, knowing that He remains the same God who does not change.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:21 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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].

  • Exodus 8:16 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 8:18 (3 votes)

    And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

  • Psalms 78:45 (2 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 7:18 (2 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall hiss for the fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that [is] in the land of Assyria.