Psalms 78:19

19 They whined like spoiled children, "Why can't God give us a decent meal in this desert?

Psalms 78:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:19

Yea, they spoke against God
Not only thought ill of him, and tempted him in their hearts, but they expressed with their mouths what was in their hearts, and spoke against him, his power, and his providence, in plain words, though he had been so good and gracious to them, and had done such wonderful things for them: they said,

can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
these are the words which they spoke against him, and by which they tempted him, questioning his power and his goodness, and expressing their dissatisfaction with their present and daily allowance; they were not content with the manna they had every day, but they wanted to have a table ordered and spread with all kind of dainties. The sense of the question is, can the Lord do this for us? give us a plentiful table in the wilderness, as well as drop the manna about our tents? if he can, why does not he? if he does not, it must be either for want in himself, or want of good will to us; and thus tried and tempted the Lord.

Psalms 78:19 In-Context

17 All they did was sin even more, rebel in the desert against the High God.
18 They tried to get their own way with God, clamored for favors, for special attention.
19 They whined like spoiled children, "Why can't God give us a decent meal in this desert?
20 Sure, he struck the rock and the water flowed, creeks cascaded from the rock. But how about some fresh-baked bread? How about a nice cut of meat?"
21 When God heard that, he was furious - his anger flared against Jacob, he lost his temper with Israel.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.