Psalms 78:18

18 in their hearts they tested God by demanding food that would satisfy their cravings.

Psalms 78:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:18

And they tempted God in their heart
Which is desperately wicked, and from whence all impiety flows; they entertained hard thoughts of God; they inwardly fretted at their present circumstances, and secretly repined and murmured against God, and wished for things they should not; not being contented with what they had, and thankful for them, as they ought to have been:

by asking meat for their lust;
or, "for their soul"; such as their souls lusted after, and their sensitive appetites craved; for they were not satisfied with the bread they had, which was sufficient for their sustenance and support; they wanted food for pleasure and wantonness; to ask for daily bread is right, but to ask for more to consume on our lusts is wrong, ( James 4:3 ) .

Psalms 78:18 In-Context

16 yes, he brought streams out of the rock, making the water flow down like rivers.

17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High;

18 in their hearts they tested God by demanding food that would satisfy their cravings.

19 Yes, they spoke against God by asking, "Can God spread a table in the desert?

20 True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, until the vadis overflowed; but what about bread? Can he give that? Can he provide meat for his people?"