Psalm 105:31

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

He spoke, and the swarm came, gnats in all their country.

Latin

Dixit, et venit cœnomyia et ciniphes in omnibus finibus eorum.

Hebrew

English

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

The psalmist tells the story of Moses and the plagues in Egypt (see Exodus 7:20–12:30).

This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys:
- from Ur to Canaan (Psalm 105:12),
- to Egypt (Psalm 105:17, 23),
- through the wilderness (Psalm 105:37, 41), and
- back to Canaan (Psalm 105:44).
These events fulfilled the Lord's promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:9, 42), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering turned into glory, serves as a model of encouragement for Israel (Psalm 105:16–25).
Psalm 105:1–15 (along with 96; 106:1, 47–48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16.

Theme notes and profiles

Exodus 8:21–24
But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies.
Psalm 78:45
He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
Isaiah 7:18
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.
Exodus 8:16–18
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’”