What does Psalms 105:35 mean?

And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. Psalms 105:35

Explanation

Psalm 105:35 refers to the eighth plague sent upon Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus, where God allows swarms of locusts to consume the vegetation of the land. The verse explicitly mentions that the locusts ate all the herbs and devoured the fruit of the ground, leaving nothing green. The locusts are described in this poetic narrative as devouring the resources of a nation as a divine judgment. While it recounts a historical event, the deeper meaning can reflect the totality of divine judgment and the powerlessness of humans in the face of God’s will.

Historical Context

Psalm 105 is part of the Hebrew Bible and is traditionally attributed to King David. It is a historical psalm which recounts the history of the Israelite people and God’s covenant with them. Specifically, verse 35 refers back to the time of Moses, when the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt. The verse is recalling the plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves, as told in the Book of Exodus, specifically Chapters 7 through 12.

Theological Insights

From a Jewish perspective, this verse serves as a reminder of God’s power to protect and deliver His chosen people. For Christians, the plagues can be interpreted as foreshadowing the ultimate redemption through Christ. Theologically, the verse brings to mind the concepts of divine judgment and sovereignty. It emphasizes that God has the authority to intervene in nature and history to accomplish His will. It is also viewed as a demonstration of God’s justice, delivered to the Egyptians due to their oppression of His people.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, Psalm 105:35 can inspire believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and justice. It serves as a reminder that while adversity may come, God is capable of delivering those who are faithful to Him. Additionally, it warns against the hardness of heart, as seen in Pharaoh, urging individuals to heed divine warnings and instructions to avoid the consequences of disobedience.

Cross-References

• Exodus 10:12-15: Describes the actual event of the plague of locusts upon Egypt.
• Joel 1:4: References the devouring nature of a locust plague.
• Revelation 9:3-4: Refers to locusts as part of apocalyptic judgments, perhaps echoing the plagues of Egypt.

Language Study

The key terms in the original Hebrew of this verse are:

• “Eat up” (אָכַל, ‘akal): This term generally means to consume food, but it also conveys the concept of destruction or complete removal.
• “Herbs” (עֵשֶׂב, ‘eseb): Refers to grass or herbage in general, including agricultural plants.
• “Devoured” (בָּלַע, bala): Means to swallow or engulf, suggesting the thoroughness of the destruction wrought by the locusts.
• “Fruit” (פְּרִי, pərî): Mostly signifies the product of a tree or plant, including grain.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths from various cultures have also depicted swarms of insects or natural phenomena as forms of divine judgment or omens. For instance, in ancient Mesopotamian literature, gods would send natural disasters to punish or communicate with humanity. The story of locusts in Exodus shares similarities with such myths, embedding a universal theme of divine-human interaction through nature.

Scientific Perspectives

Locust plagues are well-documented natural events that can cause widespread agricultural devastation. Understanding the verse from a scientific perspective involves recognizing the ecological and environmental triggers for locust swarms. Modern science can explain the biological and environmental mechanisms behind such plagues, yet the biblical text ascribes these events to divine will.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Psalm 105:35 generally agree on its position within the larger narrative of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. For example, Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that the verse showcases God’s specific judgment against Egypt and his method of bringing affliction to push Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Other scholars, focusing on the literary aspect, observe the poetic justice in the plagues matching the Egyptians’ sins and oppression. They also typically elaborate on the theological implications of God’s providence, justice, and the role of remembrance in the faith of the Israelites.