Psalm 78:45-46
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This isn't just a list of plagues; it’s about the purpose behind them. The psalmist uses these terrifying events not just to show God's power, but to illustrate how Israel’s continuous forgetfulness of God’s past faithfulness provoked His relentless judgment.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's powerful acts of deliverance. After detailing their struggles in the wilderness, the psalmist shifts to God's mighty interventions in Egypt, describing the plagues sent upon the Egyptians as a consequence of their oppression. This specific verse details two of those plagues: swarms of flies that devoured and frogs that destroyed the Egyptians.
When God's judgment comes, it's not just a swarm of flies or a pile of frogs. These were divine weapons, wielded with purpose.
The plagues of Egypt, as recounted in Psalm 78, were far more than natural disasters. They were a deliberate and devastating display of God's power against a defiant nation.
A Divine Arsenal
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Why does Psalm 78 recount these ancient plagues? It's not just a history lesson; it's a message meant to echo through time.
Psalm 78 is a 'Maschil,' a psalm intended for instruction. Asaph, the psalmist, uses Israel's history, including the plagues, as a teaching tool for future generations.
A Mirror to the Past
Understand the original words
yabul · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the fruits of the soil or agricultural yield, often used to signify God’s provision or, when withdrawn, His judgment on a nation's resources.
chasil · Hebrew Noun
A migratory insect often used in Scripture as a symbol of divine judgment or an unstoppable, devastating force of nature sent by God to consume the land.
yagia · Hebrew Noun
The product, harvest, or wealth acquired through human effort; in a theological context, it is what is produced by the work of one's hands.
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, contrasting God's mighty acts of deliverance, like the plagues on Egypt, with the people's consistent unfaithfulness. The plagues served not only as judgment on Egypt but also as powerful reminders to Israel of God's power and their need for trust.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery, are miraculously led out of Egypt by God's mighty hand, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Plagues of Egypt
Before the Exodus, God unleashed ten devastating plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release His people. These plagues progressively intensified, demonstrating God's power and judgment.
c. 1446 BC
The Plagues of Flies and Frogs
Two of the ten plagues involved swarms of flies (or a mixture of insects) that plagued the Egyptians and frogs that overran the land, bringing destruction and distress.
c. 1445 BC - 1405 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith, experiencing God's provision and judgment.
c. 1405 BC
Conquest of Canaan
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, entered and began conquering the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promises.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King David
David established a strong, unified kingdom in Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital, marking a golden age of worship and national identity.
This passage directly describes the plague of flies sent upon Egypt, highlighting God's power through these swarms to afflict and torment the Egyptians, mirroring the Psalmist's account of their destructive nature.
Exodus 8:1-7This narrative details the plague of frogs, another of the plagues mentioned in Psalm 78:45, showing how God used these creatures to overwhelm and distress the Egyptians.
Psalm 105:31This verse also recounts the plague of flies, using similar language to Psalm 78:45 and emphasizing God's word and command behind these supernatural events.
Revelation 16:13-14This New Testament passage speaks of demonic spirits going out to deceive and gather nations for battle, using imagery of unclean spirits that can be compared to the plague of destructive creatures sent by God in the Old Testament.
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.
This isn't just a list of plagues; it’s about the purpose behind them. The psalmist uses these terrifying events not just to show God's power, but to illustrate how Israel’s continuous forgetfulness of God’s past faithfulness provoked His relentless judgment.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's powerful acts of deliverance. After detailing their struggles in the wilderness, the psalmist shifts to God's mighty interventions in Egypt, describing the plagues sent upon the Egyptians as a consequence of their oppression. This specific verse details two of those plagues: swarms of flies that devoured and frogs that destroyed the Egyptians.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's powerful acts of deliverance. After detailing their struggles in the wilderness, the psalmist shifts to God's mighty interventions in Egypt, describing the plagues sent upon the Egyptians as a consequence of their oppression. This specific verse details two of those plagues: swarms of flies that devoured and frogs that destroyed the Egyptians.
"He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust." — This isn't just a list of plagues; it’s about the purpose behind them. The psalmist uses these terrifying events not just to show God's power, but to illustrate how Israel’s continuous forgetfulnes…
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Last reviewed October 2026
