Psalm 105:34 describes God acting by simply speaking, bringing a plague of locusts and grasshoppers on Egypt in a number too large to count. The verse is a reminder that the Lord rules over creation and history, and that what he commands happens. The psalmist is recounting the story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, speaking to the people of Israel as a way of remembering what God has done for them.
He spoke, and the locusts came, and the grasshoppers, without number…
Psalm 105:34 (WEB)
What Psalm 105:34 Means
The verse begins with “He spoke,” and that short phrase carries the weight of the whole sentence. The psalmist does not describe God working with tools or effort. God speaks, and the natural world responds. This echoes the opening account of creation, where God’s word brings light, sky, and land into being. The same authority that shaped the world is shown here turning against Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
Next comes the image of locusts and grasshoppers arriving “without number.” A locust swarm was among the most feared disasters in the ancient Near East, because it could strip fields and gardens bare in a matter of hours. The psalm uses this picture to show how complete and overwhelming God’s judgment was. Nothing could be hidden from it, and no one could stop it once it began.
The verse does not promise that God will always act against a nation’s enemies, nor does it offer a formula for how God will respond to our prayers. Its focus is on who God is and what he has already done in history. It invites trust in a God who is powerful enough to be feared and faithful enough to rescue his people.
The Context of Psalm 105:34
Psalm 105 belongs to the Psalter, the collection of songs and prayers in the Old Testament, and it is a historical psalm that retells Israel’s story from Abraham through the exodus. The psalm is often associated with worship and thanksgiving, calling the people to remember God’s covenant and to praise him for his faithfulness. The author is not named in the text, and the psalm was most likely sung by the community of Israel in corporate worship.
The verses just before and after Psalm 105:34 list the plagues in order, moving from flies and lice to hail, to the locusts here, and then to the death of the firstborn. Read in that sequence, the locust plague is one step in a series of divine acts that expose the powerlessness of Egypt’s gods and the stubbornness of its ruler. The rhythm of the list shows that these events were not random disasters but a deliberate unfolding of God’s plan to free his people.
Key Phrases in Psalm 105:34
Genesis 1:3
God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
(WEB)
This verse shows God speaking light into existence at creation. Reading it alongside Psalm 105:34 reveals a consistent pattern in Scripture: God’s word is the means by which he brings about what he intends, whether in forming the world or in judging the nations.
Psalm 33:9
For he spoke, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood firm.
(WEB)
This psalm celebrates the same truth that God speaks and things come to be. Placed beside Psalm 105:34, it strengthens the idea that God’s command over creation is complete, and it encourages trust in his power to accomplish his purposes.
A Short Prayer From Psalm 105:34
Lord, you are the God who speaks, and the world answers to your word. Thank you that nothing in creation or in history is beyond your authority. When I feel overwhelmed by problems that seem as numerous and forceful as a swarm, help me to remember that you are still in control. Teach me to trust your power and your faithfulness, and to bring my fears to you in prayer. Let your word shape my heart and my decisions today. Amen.
