Psalms 105:35 (KJV)

What does Psalms 105:35 mean?

Psalms 105:35 describes how a destructive force—specifically, a plague of locusts—ate all the plants and crops in the land, leaving nothing behind. This verse is part of a recounting of the disasters God sent upon Egypt before freeing the Israelites.

The psalmist is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of how God acted powerfully during the Exodus. The verse highlights the devastation caused by the locusts, which consumed every herb and all the fruit of the ground, showing the completeness of the plague and the severity of Egypt’s suffering.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 105:35

• "up" (אָכַל, ’akal): This word means "to eat" or "consume." It is used twice in this verse, emphasizing the total destruction by the locusts—they did not just damage but completely consumed everything green.
• "herbs" (עֵשֶׂב, ‘esev): This refers to grass, plants, or any green vegetation. The use here shows that even the most basic food sources were wiped out.
• "land" (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word means "land" or "country," indicating that the devastation was widespread, not just in a single area.
• "devoured" (אָכַל, ’akal): The repetition of this word for "eat" underlines the thoroughness of the destruction.
• "fruit" (פְּרִי, peri): This means "fruit" or "produce," pointing to the crops and food that people depended on.
• "ground" (אֲדָמָה, ’adamah): This word means "ground" or "soil," focusing on the agricultural aspect—the locusts destroyed what grew from the earth itself.

Why Psalms 105:35 matters

• This verse clarifies that the plague of locusts was not a minor event but a total disaster that stripped Egypt of all plant life and crops, making the hardship clear.
• By repeating the idea of eating and devouring, the verse emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction, helping the reader grasp the scale of suffering in Egypt.
• The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 105, which is to remember and recount God’s mighty acts in history, especially how He delivered Israel from Egypt through extraordinary signs and wonders.