Psalm 78:17-22

A Review of Israel’s History as a Source of Consolation

And they sinned yet more against Him by provoking the Most High in the wilderness, with their continual rebellious murmurings.

V. 18. And they tempted God in their heart, Matt. 15, 19, by asking meat for their lust, when they declared that their soul loathed the very sight of the manna, Num. 11, 4-6.

V. 19. Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? V. 20. Behold, He smote the rock that the waters gushed out and the streams overflowed,giving them water in rich abundance; can He give bread also? Can He provide flesh for His people? It was a blasphemous murmuring in the face of the great miracles performed for their benefit.

V. 21. Therefore the Lord heard this and was wroth, Num. 11; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel, v. 22. because they believed not in God, had no faith in the covenant God, and trusted not in His salvation, the deliverance which He had promised them.