Psalms 78:34

34 When God began killing them, they finally sought him. They repented and took God seriously.

Psalms 78:34 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them
Some of them, the spies particularly; or when he threatened to slay them, or was about to do it:

then they sought him;
that is, those who either survived the slain, or were threatened with destruction; these sought the Lord by prayer and supplication, that he would not destroy them; the Targum is,

``they repented and sought him;''

see ( Numbers 14:37 Numbers 14:39 Numbers 14:40 ) ,

and they returned;
from their evil ways, and by repentance, at least in show and appearance:

and inquired early after God;
but not earnestly, and with their whole hearts and spirits; the Targum is,

``they prayed before God;''

which is often done, by carnal professors, in trouble; see ( Isaiah 26:16 ) ( Hosea 5:15 ) .

Psalms 78:34 In-Context

32 But in spite of this, the people kept sinning. Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him.

33 So he ended their lives in failure, their years in terror.

34 When God began killing them, they finally sought him. They repented and took God seriously.

35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer.

36 But all they gave him was lip service; they lied to him with their tongues.