Psalms 78:18

18 They were stubborn and put God to the test. They ordered him to give them the food they longed for.

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 He brought streams out of a rocky cliff. He made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him. In the desert they refused to obey the Most High God.

18 They were stubborn and put God to the test. They ordered him to give them the food they longed for.

19 They spoke against God. They said, "Can God put food on a table in the desert?

20 When he struck the rock, streams of water poured out. Huge amounts of water flowed down. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?"