Psalms 105:34

He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

Psalms 105:34 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 105 is a song of praise for God’s faithfulness to Israel from Abraham to the Promised Land. This verse recalls the eighth plague upon Egypt, when God sent locusts and caterpillars to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The event is recorded in Exodus 10:12-14, where Moses stretched out his hand and the Lord brought an east wind to carry the locusts. The plague was so severe that the land was darkened, and it was unprecedented in its magnitude.

Meaning

The verse says “He spake, and the locusts came.” This shows that God’s word alone is enough to command creation. He did not need an army or a long process; His spoken command brought the swarm. The phrase “without number” stresses the vast size of the plague. The Hebrew word translated “caterpillers” likely means young locusts or grasshoppers, so the land faced destruction from more than one kind of insect. This emphasizes the power and sovereignty of God’s word.

Biblical connections

In Exodus 10:15, the locusts covered the land so thickly that the ground was darkened, and they ate every green plant. This plague was a direct challenge to Egypt’s false gods, especially those linked to crops and harvest. God used nature to prove that He alone rules over the earth. The same power that brought judgment on Egypt also delivered His people, showing His covenant faithfulness. God’s judgment is executed through His spoken word, and His power over creation is absolute.

Application

This verse calls us to trust in God’s sovereign control over all circumstances. If His word can bring locusts without number, then nothing is too hard for Him. It also reminds us that disobedience has serious consequences. Pharaoh refused to let Israel go, and his stubbornness brought ruin upon his land. We should examine our own hearts and choose obedience to God’s will.

Reflection

God’s power is not distant or abstract; it works in real history. The same God who spoke and the locusts came still speaks today through His Word. We can rest in the certainty that His promises are effective and His purposes will stand. Let this verse deepen our reverence for the Creator and our confidence in His faithful care.