Psalms 78:40

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!

Psalms 78:40 in Other Translations

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!

40 Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.

40 How often in the desert they had spurned him, tried his patience in those wilderness years.

40 How oft did they rebel against him in the wilderness, And grieve him in the desert!

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness! How often they caused him grief in the desert!

40 How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert.

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 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!

41 Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 23:21; Hebrews 3:16
• 2. Psalms 95:8; Psalms 106:14
• 3. Ephesians 4:30