He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.

PSALMS 105:28KJV
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Psalms 105:28 (KJV)

What does Psalms 105:28 mean?

Psalms 105:28 says that God sent darkness and made it dark, and those involved did not rebel against His command. The verse recalls a moment when God acted powerfully, and His word was obeyed without resistance.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer, likely addressing the people of Israel, is recounting God’s mighty acts during the time of the Exodus from Egypt. Specifically, Psalms 105:28 refers to one of the plagues—when God brought darkness over Egypt. The verse highlights both God’s control over nature and the fact that His instructions were carried out as intended.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 105:28

  • "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or dispatch. Here, it emphasizes that the darkness was not accidental but was deliberately sent by God as an act of judgment.
  • "darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshekh): This word refers to literal darkness, the absence of light. In the context of the Exodus, it points to the ninth plague, a supernatural darkness that covered Egypt.
  • "dark" (וַיַּחְשֶׁךְ, vayachshekh): This is a verb form meaning "and He made it dark." It underlines God’s active role in causing the darkness, not just allowing it to happen.
  • "rebelled" (מָרָה, marah): This word means to resist or disobey. In this verse, it is likely referring to the agents of the plague (possibly the darkness itself or the forces carrying out God's will) not resisting God's command.
  • "word" (דָּבָר, davar): This word means a spoken command or instruction. The verse stresses that God's word was effective and unchallenged in this event.

Why Psalms 105:28 matters

  • Psalms 105:28 clarifies that the darkness during the plagues was a direct act of God, not a natural event, highlighting His authority over creation.
  • The verse subtly emphasizes that God’s commands are always carried out, even by the forces of nature, and there is no resistance to His will in these moments.
  • By recalling this specific plague, the psalm connects the listeners to their history, reminding them of God’s power and faithfulness during the Exodus, which is a central theme in Israel’s story.

Where else these words appear

“dark” Hebrew H2821 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
  • Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

“rebelled” Hebrew H4784 · used in 43 verses

  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 1 Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
  • Isaiah 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

“darkness” Hebrew H2822 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Job 19:8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.