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Psalms 78:18

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.
Psalms 78:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15He clave rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
16He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.
17Yet went they on still to sin against him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.
19Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people?
21Therefore Jehovah heard, and was wroth; And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also went up against Israel;
← Psalms 78:17Psalms 78:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And slew famous kings, etc.] Famous for their power and strength, their courage and valour who were not only smitten and discomfited, but slain in battle; for his mercy [endureth] for ever; towards his own people, for whose sake these kings were slain.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they tempted God in their heart - Exodus 16:2. The heart was the source of the evil. They were not satisfied with what he gave them. They asked for that which would be more agreeable to them, and they did it with a complaining and a murmuring spirit. It is not wrong in itself to ask of God that which will be better than what we now possess, for that is the object of all our prayers; but this may be done from a wrong motive - for mere self-gratification, as was the case here; or it may be with a complaining and dissatisfied spirit, such as was evinced on this occasion. In such a case we cannot expect the prayer to be answered “except as a punishment.” By asking meat for their lust - Food.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Tempted - Desired a proof of God's power. Lust - Not for their necessary subsistence, but out of an inordinate and luxurious appetite. Psalms 78:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“by asking meat: Psa 106:14, Psa 106:15; Exo 16:2, Exo 16:3; Num 11:4; Co1 10:6; Jam 4:2, Jam 4:3 Psalms 78:19”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 78 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification