King James Version

What Does Psalms 78:48 Mean?

Psalms 78:48 in the King James Version says “He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. gave: Heb. shut up hot: or, lightnings” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 78 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. gave: Heb. shut up hot: or, lightnings”

Psalms 78:48 · KJV

Context

46

He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

47

He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. destroyed: Heb. killed frost: or, great hailstones

48

He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. gave: Heb. shut up hot: or, lightnings

49

He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

50

He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; He made: Heb. He weighed a path life: or, beasts to the murrain

Read Psalms 78 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Divine Judgment Through Natural Disasters: This verse falls within Asaph's lengthy historical psalm recounting God's works and Israel's repeated rebellion. The Hebrew verb "gave up" (yasgar, יַסְגֵּר) means "to deliver over" or "hand over," indicating God's active judgment, not mere natural disaster. He deliberately exposed Israel's livestock to destructive forces as covenant curse fulfillment (Exodus 9:22-25 describes the seventh plague; Deuteronomy 28:22-24 warns of such judgments for disobedience).

Hail and Thunderbolts as Divine Weapons: "Hail" (barad, בָּרָד) recalls the devastating plague that struck Egypt, destroying crops and animals (Exodus 9:18-26). The phrase "hot thunderbolts" (reshaphim, רְשָׁפִים) literally means "burning flames" or "lightning bolts," emphasizing the terrifying, destructive power of the storm. Some translations render it "lightning" or "fiery bolts." The Hebrew resheph also referred to plague or pestilence in other contexts, suggesting multiple layers of judgment.

Echoes of Egyptian Plagues: Asaph parallels Israel's wilderness experience with Egypt's plagues, reminding readers that the same God who judged Pharaoh's hardness also disciplines His covenant people when they rebel. This isn't random natural disaster but purposeful divine pedagogy. God uses creation itself as an instrument of correction, demonstrating His sovereignty over nature and His faithfulness to covenant warnings. The imagery prepares readers for understanding how God governs history through both blessing and judgment, always aiming toward redemptive purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 78 is a maskil (instructional psalm) by Asaph, a Levitical musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 15:17, 16:4-5). Scholars date it to the divided kingdom period (950-722 BC), possibly after the northern kingdom's fall (722 BC) when Asaph's descendants continued his musical tradition. The psalm serves as covenantal instruction, rehearsing Israel's history from Egypt through the monarchy to warn against repeating ancestral sins.

Verse 48 specifically recalls the seventh plague (Exodus 9:13-35), when God sent unprecedented hail mixed with fire upon Egypt, destroying livestock, crops, and people who didn't take shelter. This plague demonstrated Yahweh's superiority over Egyptian weather gods like Seth (storm deity) and agricultural deities. Pharaoh temporarily relented but then hardened his heart again (Exodus 9:34-35), illustrating the pattern of rebellion Asaph sees repeated in Israel.

The psalm's historical recital served liturgical and didactic purposes in Israel's worship. By rehearsing divine judgments, it warned each generation against covenant unfaithfulness. Archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age Late Period (1550-1200 BC) shows that severe weather events, including hail storms, were indeed catastrophic to ancient Near Eastern agriculture and livestock economies. The psalm's vivid imagery would have resonated powerfully with an agrarian society dependent on weather patterns and acutely aware of natural disasters' devastating potential.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of natural disasters as judgment in Scripture inform Christian perspectives on contemporary natural calamities?
  2. What is the relationship between God's sovereignty over nature and human sin or covenant unfaithfulness?
  3. How should believers balance understanding natural disasters as divine judgment versus expressions of a fallen creation groaning for redemption (Romans 8:22)?
  4. In what ways does rehearsing God's historical judgments serve as warning and instruction for contemporary believers?
  5. How do the plagues against Egypt demonstrate both God's justice toward oppressors and His covenant faithfulness to deliver His people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר1 of 5

“He gave up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

לַבָּרָ֣ד2 of 5

“also to the hail”

H1259

hail

בְּעִירָ֑ם3 of 5

“their cattle”

H1165

cattle

וּ֝מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם4 of 5

“and their flocks”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

לָרְשָׁפִֽים׃5 of 5

“to hot thunderbolts”

H7565

a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 78:48 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 78:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 9:19Exodus 9:28

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 78 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 78 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes