Psalms 78:19

19 They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?

Psalms 78:19 in Other Translations

KJV
19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
ESV
19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
NLT
19 They even spoke against God himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness.
MSG
19 They whined like spoiled children, "Why can't God give us a decent meal in this desert?
CSB
19 They spoke against God, saying, "Is God able to provide food in the wilderness?

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 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18 They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?
20 True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”
21 When the LORD heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

Cross References 1

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