Psalms 78:46
He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that "increase" and "fruit of labor" are the same thing, emphasizing how God’s judgment can directly destroy not just crops, but the very effort and toil poured into them. This isn't just about losing a harvest; it's about seeing all the hard work seemingly vanish before one's eyes.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures to trust God despite His mighty acts, from the Exodus through the time of David. Here, the psalmist shifts to describe the plagues God sent on Egypt, specifically highlighting the devastating impact of locusts on the land's produce. This follows the earlier mention of God's wonders in Egypt and precedes the description of the final plague and Israel's subsequent deliverance.
What happens when the fruits of your hard work vanish overnight? This verse paints a stark picture of loss.
The psalmist here recalls the plagues of Egypt, specifically the devastating impact of locusts. This wasn't just a natural disaster; it was a divine judgment. When God's people repeatedly turned away from Him, even their physical labor and the produce of their land were not spared. The verse uses 'increase' and 'fruit of their labor' to show that everything they had toiled for, from crops to vineyards, was given over to be devoured. This highlights a profound truth: our labor, apart from God's blessing, is vulnerable and can be utterly undone.
It's crucial to see that this wasn't a random act. The context of Psalm 78 is Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and forgetfulness of God's mighty deeds. When a people, or individuals, choose to ignore God's commands and rely on their own strength or pursuits, the very things they work hard for can be taken away. The 'destroying locust' and 'caterpillar' (likely different stages or types of locusts) represent a complete consumption, leaving nothing behind.
Beyond physical crops, what is truly being lost when God's judgment falls?
This verse points to more than just an agricultural loss; it speaks to the devastating consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. The 'increase' and 'labor' represent the tangible results of human effort, but their destruction by locusts symbolizes a loss of God's favor and blessing. When people turn from God, they risk losing the very sustenance and security they pursue through their work.
The psalm emphasizes that Israel's history was a cycle of God's wonders met by ingratitude. This plague, like others in Egypt, was a consequence, a demonstration of God's power against those who defied Him and a painful lesson for His own people when they strayed. The loss was designed to bring them back to a recognition of their dependence on God, not just for spiritual life, but for the basic necessities and prosperity that He provides.
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 verse draws directly from the eighth plague of Egypt. By referencing the locusts devouring crops and the fruit of labor, the psalm powerfully illustrates how God's judgment can strip away the very sustenance and hard-won results of a people who continually turn away from Him.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, God delivers the Israelites from Egypt through Moses, marking a pivotal moment of divine intervention and national formation.
c. 1446 BC
Plagues of Egypt
As Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, God sent ten devastating plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the destruction of the firstborn, which finally broke the Pharaoh's will.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Locust Plague in Egypt
The eighth plague, a devastating swarm of locusts, consumed all vegetation that had survived the hail, completely destroying the crops and the livelihood of the Egyptians.
c. 1445-1405 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following their miraculous escape, the Israelites spent forty years wandering in the desert due to their disobedience and lack of faith, facing numerous challenges and experiencing God's provision and judgment.
This passage directly describes the plague of locusts in Egypt, which aligns with the destruction of crops mentioned in Psalms 78:46 as a consequence of God's judgment.
Deuteronomy 28:38This verse from the law of Moses prophesies that Israel's disobedience would result in locusts consuming their crops, directly paralleling the historical account and poetic reflection in Psalms 78:46.
Joel 1:4This prophetic passage uses similar imagery of locusts devouring crops, highlighting the devastating impact of these insects as a form of divine judgment, echoing the theme of crop destruction in Psalms 78:46.
Leviticus 26:16This passage outlines divine punishments for disobedience, including famine and pestilence that would consume the fruits of the land, conceptually linking the natural disasters described in Psalms 78:46 to spiritual consequences.
clarkePsalms 78:46: "He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust."
The caterpillar and - the locust - See on Exodus 10:13 (note).
poolePsalms 78:46: "He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust."
The herbs and grains which were come up by their care and diligent labour.
The verse highlights that "increase" and "fruit of labor" are the same thing, emphasizing how God’s judgment can directly destroy not just crops, but the very effort and toil poured into them. This isn't just about losing a harvest; it's about seeing all the hard work seemingly vanish before one's eyes.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures to trust God despite His mighty acts, from the Exodus through the time of David. Here, the psalmist shifts to describe the plagues God sent on Egypt, specifically highlighting the devastating impact of locusts on the land's produce. This follows the earlier mention of God's wonders in Egypt and precedes the description of the final plague and Israel's subsequent deliverance.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures to trust God despite His mighty acts, from the Exodus through the time of David. Here, the psalmist shifts to describe the plagues God sent on Egypt, specifically highlighting the devastating impact of locusts on the land's produce. This follows the earlier mention of God's wonders in Egypt and precedes the description of the final plague and Israel's subsequent deliverance.
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c. 1405 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Led by Joshua, the Israelites entered and conquered the land of Canaan, a process marked by both God's powerful intervention and the people's ongoing struggles with faithfulness.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King David
The establishment of the united monarchy under King David brought a period of stability and centralized worship, though the memory of past disobedience remained a cautionary tale.
"He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust." — The verse highlights that "increase" and "fruit of labor" are the same thing, emphasizing how God’s judgment can directly destroy not just crops, but the very effort and toil poured into them. This i…
