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Psalms 78:19

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
Psalms 78:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
22Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation.
← Psalms 78:18Psalms 78:20 →
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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
“Sihon king of the Amorites, etc.] A strong and warlike people, and their king a great and mighty one; (see <19D511>Psalm 135:11); for his mercy [endureth] for ever; since this king would not suffer Israel to go through his borders, but came out and fought against them; and had not the Lord smote him, they must have fallen a prey into his hands, (<042123>Numbers 21:23).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yea, they spake against God - That is, in the manner which is immediately specified - by calling in question his power, or his ability to provide for them in the wilderness. See Numbers 11:4. They said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? - In the desert. The word rendered “furnish” is in the margin “order.” It means to arrange; to set in order; and here to arrange and provide for, as at a feast. The precise words used by the complaining Hebrews are not quoted here, but the substance of what they said is retained. The idea is, that what they spake was “equivalent” to saying that God could not prepare a table for them; that is, provide for them, in the desert. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Yea: Exo 16:8-10; Num 21:5; Ch2 32:19; Job 34:37; Rom 9:20; Rev 13:6 Can God: Num 11:4, Num 11:13 furnish: Heb. order Psalms 78:20”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification