Psalms 78:17-18
Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "yet they sinned still more" suggests not just a repetition of past sins, but an escalation; their actions in the wilderness weren't just more of the same, but a deepening of their rebellion against God, who was actively providing for them.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history to teach a lesson about faithfulness, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's incredible provision met with human ingratitude and rebellion. This verse specifically addresses their actions in the wilderness, emphasizing that even after experiencing God's direct intervention, like miraculously providing water, they continued to sin and test Him. The context shows that this repeated disobedience, particularly in a place where they were utterly dependent on God, was a significant aggravation of their sin.
Imagine receiving incredible, life-saving gifts, only to turn around and defy the giver. That’s the shocking reality revealed in this verse.
Mercy Overlooked, Sin Multiplied
The psalmist highlights a painful pattern in Israel's history: God's abundant provision and protection in the wilderness were met with escalating rebellion.
It’s one thing to disobey; it’s another to deliberately push God's buttons. What does it mean to 'provoke' the Most High?
More Than Just Disobedience
The word 'provoking' (Hebrew: ka'as) carries a weight beyond simple wrongdoing. It signifies actions that stir up anger and challenge divine authority.
Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark, violate God's law, or fall short of His standard of holiness. It denotes an act of disobedience that separates one from God's presence.
marah · Hebrew Verb
An act of active resistance or defiance against legitimate authority; in a biblical context, it refers to a wilful breach of the covenantal relationship with God.
Elyon · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A title for God (El Elyon) emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and distinctness above all creation and all other supposed deities.
nasah · Hebrew Verb
To put God to the test or to try His patience; it implies a lack of trust in God's character and providence despite past evidence of His power.
The psalm highlights that Israel's sin in the wilderness wasn't just about a lack of food or water, but a profound failure to trust God, even when He was miraculously providing for them in the most desolate of places.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, leading them across the Red Sea.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites journey through the Sinai desert for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
Water from the Rock
In Rephidim, the Israelites, thirsty and complaining, are given water from a rock struck by Moses.
c. 1446 BC
Manna and Quail Provision
God provides manna from heaven and quails for the Israelites to eat when they complain about lack of food.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
This passage directly describes the Israelites complaining and lusting for meat in the wilderness, echoing the 'sinning yet more' mentioned in Psalms 78:17 and illustrating the specific 'provocation'.
Exodus 16:3This verse details an earlier instance of Israel's discontent and sin in the wilderness by craving food, showing a pattern of rebellion that Psalms 78:17 highlights as continuing and escalating.
Deuteronomy 9:7This verse from Moses' address to Israel speaks of their continuous rebellion from the day they left Egypt until they reached the wilderness, paralleling Psalms 78:17's theme of persistent sin in that very location.
Hebrews 3:8This New Testament passage directly quotes from and reflects on Psalms 78, specifically warning against hardening hearts in the wilderness, showing the ongoing spiritual lesson from Israel's repeated provocations.
Psalms 106:13This psalm also recounts Israel's wilderness experience, noting they 'soon forgot' God's works and 'waited not for his counsel,' which directly relates to the theme of persistent sin and provocation despite divine provision found in Psalms 78:17.
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
ellicottPsalms 78:17: "And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness."
(17) They sinned yet more and more .—This implies the discontent which had already shown itself before the miraculous supply of water.
The phrase "yet they sinned still more" suggests not just a repetition of past sins, but an escalation; their actions in the wilderness weren't just more of the same, but a deepening of their rebellion against God, who was actively providing for them.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history to teach a lesson about faithfulness, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's incredible provision met with human ingratitude and rebellion. This verse specifically addresses their actions in the wilderness, emphasizing that even after experiencing God's direct intervention, like miraculously providing water, they continued to sin and test Him. The context shows that this repeated disobedience, particularly in a place where they were utterly dependent on God, was a significant aggravation of their sin.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history to teach a lesson about faithfulness, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's incredible provision met with human ingratitude and rebellion. This verse specifically addresses their actions in the wilderness, emphasizing that even after experiencing God's direct intervention, like miraculously providing water, they continued to sin and test Him. The context shows that this repeated disobedience, particularly in a place where they were utterly dependent on God, was a significant aggravation of their sin.
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Elohim · Hebrew Noun
A term for the deity of Israel, referring to the one true God who is the Creator, Sustainer, and covenant-keeper of His people.
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan.
"Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved." — The phrase "yet they sinned still more" suggests not just a repetition of past sins, but an escalation; their actions in the wilderness weren't just more of the same, but a deepening of their rebelli…
