He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a striking parallelism: God's judgment on their increase (the fruit of the land) and their labor (the results of their hard work) are both handed over to destructive insects. It's not just the crop that's lost, but the very effort and toil poured into it, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine consequence.
He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their consistent unfaithfulness despite God's incredible acts of mercy and deliverance, particularly focusing on the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. The psalmist recounts the plagues God sent upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power, using them as a stark contrast to Israel's subsequent forgetfulness and rebellion. This specific verse describes the devastating plague of locusts, which consumed the crops and the fruit of the Egyptians' labor, illustrating the destructive consequences of God's judgment.
Have you ever felt like everything you worked for was suddenly wiped out? This verse describes a devastating loss, but it's not a random act of nature.
The psalmist recounts God's judgment on Egypt, specifically the plague of locusts, as described in Exodus. This wasn't just bad luck; it was a targeted act of justice.
Divine Intervention:
God intentionally sent these swarms to consume the crops and the fruit of the people's labor. The language emphasizes that God gave their increase to the locusts, highlighting His direct involvement.
The Purpose of Plagues:
These weren't merely destructive events. They were powerful demonstrations of God's authority over creation and His judgment against Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to let Israel go. Each plague struck at the heart of Egyptian life and their gods, showing God's supremacy.
Imagine pouring your heart and soul into something, only to see it utterly destroyed. This verse captures that gut-wrenching feeling.
The phrase 'fruit of their labor' points to more than just crops; it represents the energy, time, and aspiration invested in a harvest.
More Than Just Food:
When the locusts consumed their crops, it wasn't just a loss of food. It was the annihilation of their hard work, their planning, their hopes for the future. The labor—the tilling, planting, and tending—was rendered completely futile.
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A Warning Against Neglect:
While this verse describes God's judgment, it also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring God. Israel's history, as the psalm recounts, is often marked by cycles of disobedience followed by loss. The destruction of their crops is a tangible representation of what happens when a nation or individual turns away from the source of true provision and blessing.
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.
Psalm 78 recounts Israel's history as a cycle of God's faithfulness met by human faithlessness. Verse 46 specifically recalls the devastating plague of locusts during the Exodus from Egypt, one of ten plagues that demonstrated God's power and judgment against Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, the Israelites are dramatically led out of Egypt by God's mighty hand, marking their liberation and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites spend forty years in the desert, during which they face numerous challenges and tests of faith, experiencing both God's provision and their own repeated disobedience.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the military campaigns to conquer the land promised to their ancestors.
c. 1400-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
Following the conquest, Israel enters a cycle of faithfulness and apostasy, leading to periods of oppression by neighboring nations and divine deliverance through judges.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age for Israel and setting the stage for the temple.
After 931 BC
Divided Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), leading to further spiritual decline.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and marking a significant judgment for their persistent idolatry.
This passage directly describes the plague of locusts sent upon Egypt, which devoured all the crops and produce, directly paralleling the devastation mentioned in Psalms 78:46.
Deuteronomy 28:38This verse warns that the crops Israel would grow would be carried away by locusts, echoing the consequence of disobedience and the destructive power of these insects as a divine judgment.
Joel 1:4The prophet Joel describes different stages of locust destruction in vivid detail, mirroring the psalmist's focus on the devastating impact of these insects on all forms of produce and the labor invested in it.
Nahum 3:15-17This passage uses the imagery of locusts devouring everything as a metaphor for God's judgment upon the wicked city of Nineveh, illustrating the total consumption and destruction that can befall a nation's resources.
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.
This verse highlights a striking parallelism: God's judgment on their increase (the fruit of the land) and their labor (the results of their hard work) are both handed over to destructive insects. It's not just the crop that's lost, but the very effort and toil poured into it, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine consequence.
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their consistent unfaithfulness despite God's incredible acts of mercy and deliverance, particularly focusing on the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. The psalmist recounts the plagues God sent upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power, using them as a stark contrast to Israel's subsequent forgetfulness and rebellion. This specific verse describes the devastating plague of locusts, which consumed the crops and the fruit of the Egyptians' labor, illustrating the destructive consequences of God's judgment.
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their consistent unfaithfulness despite God's incredible acts of mercy and deliverance, particularly focusing on the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. The psalmist recounts the plagues God sent upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power, using them as a stark contrast to Israel's subsequent forgetfulness and rebellion. This specific verse describes the devastating plague of locusts, which consumed the crops and the fruit of the Egyptians' labor, illustrating the destructive consequences of God's judgment.
"He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust." — This verse highlights a striking parallelism: God's judgment on their increase (the fruit of the land) and their labor (the results of their hard work) are both handed over to destructive insects…
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Last reviewed October 2026