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

PSALMS 105:31KJV
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Psalms 105:31 (KJV)

What does Psalms 105:31 mean?

Psalms 105:31 describes how God spoke, and a plague of various flies and lice appeared throughout the land. This verse recalls one of the miraculous plagues sent upon Egypt as part of the story of Israel’s deliverance.

The psalmist is recounting God’s mighty acts during the Exodus, speaking to the people of Israel as a reminder of God’s power and faithfulness. The verse highlights that these plagues happened simply because God commanded it, showing His authority over nature and history.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 105:31

  • "spake" (אָמַר, 'amar): This word means "to say" or "to speak." The verse emphasizes that the plagues came about solely because God spoke, underscoring His power to bring things into being by His word alone.
  • "flies" (עָרוֹב, `arov): This term is often understood as a swarm of biting insects, possibly flies or a mixture of pests. The word suggests a chaotic, overwhelming infestation, not just a few insects.
  • "lice" (כִּנִּים, kinnim): This word refers to small, troublesome insects, often translated as "lice" or "gnats." The mention of both flies and lice highlights the severity and discomfort of the plagues.
  • "coasts" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means "borders" or "territories." The infestation affected the entire land, not just a small area, showing the widespread impact of God’s action.

Why Psalms 105:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the plagues in Egypt were direct acts of God’s will, not random natural disasters, as God simply spoke and they occurred.
  • By naming both flies and lice, the verse emphasizes the intensity and variety of the suffering Egypt experienced, reinforcing the seriousness of the plagues.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 105, which is to remember and celebrate God’s mighty deeds in Israel’s history, encouraging trust in His ongoing faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“lice” Hebrew H3654 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 8:16 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 8:17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
  • Exodus 8:18 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.

“flies” Hebrew H6157 · used in 7 verses

  • 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.
  • Exodus 8:31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.