Psalm 78:18

18 (77-18) And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.

Psalm 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 ) .

Psalm 78:18 In-Context

16 (77-16) He brought forth water out of the rock: and made streams run down as rivers.

17 (77-17) And they added yet more sin against him: they provoked the most High to wrath in the place without water.

18 (77-18) And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.

19 (77-19) And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20 (77-20) Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?