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Psalms 105:31 meaning

This verse shows us that even the smallest creatures can be used by God to accomplish His mighty purpose.

“He spoke, and there came a swarm of flies And gnats in all their territory.” (Psalms 105:31). This verse depicts a momentous display of God’s sovereign power in sending a sudden infestation of flies and gnats to the land of Egypt. In the broader story of the Exodus, Moses—who led the Israelites out of captivity around the 15th to 13th century BC—confronted Pharaoh multiple times, urging him to let God’s people go. Egypt was a formidable kingdom located in the northeastern region of Africa along the Nile River, yet even its might and proud monarchy were no match for God's command when He spoke forth the plagues. By sending this swarm, the Lord demonstrated His rule over creation and signaled His intention to judge Egypt’s oppression of His chosen people, illustrating that no human power can stand against His will.

When He spoke, these flies and gnats spread in all their territory, underscoring the completeness of God’s judgment. This plague, along with the others chronicled in the book of Exodus, forced Pharaoh to realize that his actions against the Hebrews carried severe consequences. Instances like the parting of the Red Sea make it apparent that the same God who can part waters also wields the element of nature to enact both justice and deliverance. Through these events, He simultaneously humbled the Egyptians and delivered the Israelites, a principle also reflected in His ability to orchestrate miraculous outcomes in desperate circumstances.

The verse also reminds believers that God’s mighty works in history foreshadow His ongoing involvement in the lives of His people. In a New Testament context, Jesus’ victory over sin and death demonstrates God’s continued resolve to save and guide His children. The swarm of flies in Egypt can be seen as part of a divine pattern: God hears the cries of those who suffer injustice and answers decisively, proving Himself both a righteous judge and a merciful deliverer.

Psalms 105:31