Psalmen 78:40

40 Hoe dikwijls verbitterden zij Hem in de woestijn, deden Hem smart aan in de wildernis!

Psalmen 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 ) .

Psalmen 78:40 In-Context

38 Doch Hij, barmhartig zijnde, verzoende de ongerechtigheid, en verdierf hen niet; maar wendde dikwijls Zijn toorn af, en wekte Zijn ganse grimmigheid niet op.

39 En Hij dacht, dat zij vlees waren, een wind, die henengaat en niet wederkeert.

40 Hoe dikwijls verbitterden zij Hem in de woestijn, deden Hem smart aan in de wildernis!

41 Want zij kwamen alweder, en verzochten God, en stelden den Heilige Israels een perk.

42 Zij dachten niet aan Zijn hand, aan den dag, toen Hij hen van den wederpartijder verloste;