Psalms 78:18

18 They decided to test God by asking for the food they wanted.

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 the rock and caused water to flow down like rivers.

17 But the people continued to sin against him; in the desert they turned against God Most High.

18 They decided to test God by asking for the food they wanted.

19 Then they spoke against God, saying, "Can God prepare food in the desert?

20 When he hit the rock, water poured out and rivers flowed down. But can he give us bread also? Will he provide his people with meat?"