Psalms 78:40

40 How often they refused to obey him in the desert! How often they caused him sorrow in that dry and empty land!

Psalms 78:40 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:40

How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness
Where they were not only at his mercy, having nothing to help themselves with, but had many singular mercies bestowed upon them; and yet were continually committing such sins against God as provoked the eyes of his glory; ten times they tempted him, the Lord says, ( Numbers 14:22 ) , therefore that dispensation is called the provocation and day of temptation; for it was a series of rebellion and sin, ( Psalms 95:8 ) ,

and grieve him in the desert;
which signifies the same as before, and is spoken after the manner of men, ( Genesis 6:6 ) and like a tender parent grieved at the disobedience of his child, and that he is obliged to take the rod and chastise it. The prophet Isaiah says, they "vexed" or "grieved his Holy Spirit", ( Isaiah 63:10 ) , the same word is there used as here; compare with it ( Ephesians 4:30 ) .

Psalms 78:40 In-Context

38 But he was full of tender love. He forgave their sins and didn't destroy his people. Time after time he held back his anger. He didn't let all of his burning anger blaze out.

39 He remembered that they were only human. He remembered they were only a breath of air that drifts by and doesn't return.

40 How often they refused to obey him in the desert! How often they caused him sorrow in that dry and empty land!

41 Again and again they put God to the test. They made the Holy One of Israel sad and angry.

42 They didn't remember his power. They forgot the day he set them free from those who had beaten them down.