Psalms 78:25

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent them food to the full.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent them food to the full.
Psalms 78:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent them food to the full.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who giveth food to all flesh, etc.] To all creatures; the beasts of the field, and fowls of the air, the young ravens that cry, (<19E515>Psalm 145:15,16 147:9). To all men their daily food; to Jews and Gentiles, good men and bad men, (<400611>Matthew 6:11 <441416>Acts 14:16,17); and spiritual food to all that belong to Christ, who are flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; even himself, the bread of life, the wholesome truths of the Gospel, and its refreshing ordinances; for his mercy [endureth] for ever; he continues to have compassion on his creatures, and opens his hand of providence, and supplies their wants; he is ever mindful of his covenant of grace and mercy, and therefore gives…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Man did eat angels’ food - Food that came from heaven; food so directly and manifestly from heaven that it might be supposed to be the same kind that was eaten there, and that had now been sent down by a special miracle for man; food so delicate and so free from the ordinary coarse properties of food, that it might be supposed to be such as angels feed on. The word rendered “angels” - אביר 'abbı̂yr - means properly “strong, mighty,” and may be applied to people in general, Judges 5:22; Lamentations 1:15; Jeremiah 46:15; to animals, Psalms 22:13 (“bulls of Bashan”); to princes, Psalms 68:31; or to nobles, Job 24:22. It might be rendered here food of nobles, or princes; that is, food of richer…”
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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
“Angels food - Manna, so called, because it was made by the ministry of angels. Psalms 78:26”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Man: etc. Or, Every one did eat the bread of the mighty. Lechem abbeerim, "bread of the mighty" - they ate such food as could only be expected at the tables of the rich and great - the best, the most delicate food. Or, it might be so called because it rendered the people healthy and vigorous, and fit for their marches. Psa 103:20 he sent: Exo 16:8; Mat 14:20, Mat 15:37 Psalms 78:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification