Psalms 105:31

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 105:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.
Psalms 105:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 105

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31He spake, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their borders.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, etc.] Or a “mixture” f1507 of various insects, and, as some interpret it, of wild beasts; and so Kimchi says evil beasts are meant, which were raised up to go into all their borders; the Arabic version renders it “dogflies”, after the Septuagint; (see Gill on “<197845>Psalm 78:45”), this was the fourth plague, (<020824>Exodus 8:24). And lice in all their coasts; this is the third plague, and what the magicians could not imitate, but were obliged to own the finger of God was in it, (<020816>Exodus 8:16-19). God can make use of mean and despicable instruments to do his work; the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See an account of these plagues in Exo. 6–11. Compare Psalms 78:43-51. This is mostly a mere enumeration of the plagues in the order in which they occurred, but without, of course, the details of the circumstances attending them. There are no circumstances mentioned here which require particular explanation. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Coasts - In all their land, even to the utmost borders of it. Psalms 105:37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“there: Psa 78:45; Exo 8:21-24; Isa 7:18 and lice: Exo 8:16-18 Psalms 105:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification