He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just list plagues; it highlights their devastating effectiveness. These weren't just ordinary insects; the word for "flies" suggests a mixture or swarm of something particularly destructive, and the frogs destroyed, implying more than just nuisance.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is recounting the history of Israel's repeated disobedience and God's consistent, though often severe, responses. After detailing Israel's wanderings and rebellions in the wilderness, the psalm shifts to God's judgment on Egypt during the Exodus, specifically the plagues sent upon the Egyptians to compel their release of the Israelites. This verse is part of a list of these devastating plagues that God inflicted on Egypt as a display of His power and a consequence of Pharaoh's stubbornness.
Ever felt like an infestation was more than just bad luck? When God's judgment comes, it's not your average bug problem.
The plagues of Egypt, described in this verse, weren't just natural occurrences. The text emphasizes that these were direct acts of God, sent with specific purpose.
Supernatural Scale
The 'divers sorts of flies' (often translated as 'mixtures' or 'swarms') and the overwhelming number of frogs weren't random. Commentaries suggest these were extraordinary in their nature, quantity, and harmful qualities. They weren't just annoying; they 'devoured' and 'destroyed.' This speaks to a divine power that can weaponize the natural world.
Purposeful Plagues
These were not mere inconveniences but powerful signs. As Psalm 78:43 states, God 'set his signs in Egypt, and his miracles in the field of Zoan.' These plagues were designed to demonstrate God's power to the Egyptians and His people, serving as a stark warning against continued defiance.
What happens when mercy is met with rebellion? This psalm reminds us that God's judgment is often a response to persistent unfaithfulness.
Psalm 78 is a powerful reminder of Israel's history of forgetting God's goodness and the consequences that followed.
A Pattern of Forgetfulness
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As the psalm unfolds, it highlights a recurring theme: Israel experienced God's mighty acts, His deliverance, and His provision, yet they quickly forgot. Verse 42 says, 'They remembered not his hand, nor the day he delivered them from the enemy.' This forgetfulness fueled their ongoing sin.
Judgment as a Response
The plagues, including the swarms of flies and frogs, are presented not as random acts of anger, but as a direct consequence of Israel's (and Egypt's) persistent sin and rebellion. The psalm connects these judgments to the people's 'ingratitude' and 'stubbornness.' God's actions are a response to broken trust and a call back to obedience.
Psalm 78 recounts Israel's history, highlighting God's mighty acts and the people's persistent disobedience. The mention of flies and frogs specifically recalls the plagues of Egypt, serving as a stark reminder of God's judgment against rebellion, a theme meant to resonate deeply with an audience familiar with these foundational events.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Plagues of Egypt
God unleashes ten devastating plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These supernatural events demonstrate God's power and judgment against the oppressors.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following the final plague, the Israelites are finally released from Egypt, marking their liberation and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites journey through the Sinai Peninsula for forty years, during which they face numerous challenges, rebellions, and periods of divine discipline.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King David
David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of a united Israel and secures its borders, ushering in a golden age of the kingdom.
Post-Davidic Kingdom
Composition of Psalm 78
This psalm, likely written after the division of the kingdom and possibly during or after the exile, reflects on Israel's history to teach the present generation about faithfulness and disobedience.
This passage describes the same plague of flies and frogs sent upon Egypt, detailing God's power over creation and His judgment on Pharaoh's hardened heart.
Psalm 105:31This verse also recounts the plague of flies as part of God's wonders in Egypt, highlighting how the psalmist saw these events as significant acts of God.
Numbers 11:31-32This passage describes God sending quails to the Israelites in the wilderness, showing a parallel theme of God using creatures for both provision and judgment, though in this case, it led to sin and death.
Revelation 16:13-14This New Testament passage speaks of 'unclean spirits like frogs' coming from the mouth of the dragon, dragon, and false prophet, drawing a symbolic connection between the destructive power of frogs in Egypt and demonic deception in the end times.
clarkePsalms 78:45: "He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them."
He sent - flies - and frogs - See on Exodus 8:6 (note), and Exodus 8:24 (note).
poolePsalms 78:45: "He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them."
Devoured them; or, destroyed them ; which they might do by their cruel and numerous stings, for these flies were doubtless extraordinary in their nature and quantity, and poisonous and hurtful qualities. And the like is to be thought concerning the frogs here following, which also might destroy the people by infecting the air with their stink, and corrupting their meats and drinks.
The text doesn't just list plagues; it highlights their devastating effectiveness. These weren't just ordinary insects; the word for "flies" suggests a mixture or swarm of something particularly destructive, and the frogs destroyed, implying more than just nuisance.
The psalmist is recounting the history of Israel's repeated disobedience and God's consistent, though often severe, responses. After detailing Israel's wanderings and rebellions in the wilderness, the psalm shifts to God's judgment on Egypt during the Exodus, specifically the plagues sent upon the Egyptians to compel their release of the Israelites. This verse is part of a list of these devastating plagues that God inflicted on Egypt as a display of His power and a consequence of Pharaoh's stubbornness.
The psalmist is recounting the history of Israel's repeated disobedience and God's consistent, though often severe, responses. After detailing Israel's wanderings and rebellions in the wilderness, the psalm shifts to God's judgment on Egypt during the Exodus, specifically the plagues sent upon the Egyptians to compel their release of the Israelites. This verse is part of a list of these devastating plagues that God inflicted on Egypt as a display of His power and a consequence of Pharaoh's stubbornness.
"He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them." — The text doesn't just list plagues; it highlights their devastating effectiveness. These weren't just ordinary insects; the word for "flies" suggests a mixture or swarm of something particularly de…
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Last reviewed October 2026