Psalms 78:18
They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Psalms 78:18
They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse reveals that "testing God" isn't just about outward actions; it begins "in their heart" through an unsatisfied craving that dismisses what God has already provided. Their demand for desired food, rather than necessary sustenance, shows a deep distrust that God's provision is enough, exposing a spiritual emptiness masked by physical longing.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history in the wilderness, highlighting their persistent ingratitude and testing of God despite His constant provision. This verse specifically addresses their craving for meat, contrasting it with the manna God was already supplying, demonstrating a deep-seated dissatisfaction and lack of trust in His care. The narrative continues to show how this distrust led to further sin and ultimately God's judgment.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
This passage details the Israelites' discontent with the manna God provided, directly paralleling the craving for meat mentioned in Psalms 78:18 and showing the beginning of their testing of God due to dissatisfaction.
Numbers 11:4-6Here, the 'rabble' among the Israelites explicitly demands meat, showing the same lustful craving and discontent that Psalms 78:18 describes, highlighting the spiritual depth of their sin.
Matthew 15:18-19Jesus explains that what defiles a person comes from within, from the heart, including evil desires and cravings, directly connecting to the 'tested God in their heart' aspect of Psalms 78:18.
1 Corinthians 10:9This verse directly references the Israelites' testing of Christ in the wilderness, linking their demand for meat to 'tempting' God and receiving destruction, echoing the consequence implied in Psalms 78:18.
clarkePsalms 78:18: "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."
By asking meat for their lust - לנפשם lenaphsham, "for their souls," i.e., for their lives; for they said in their hearts that the light bread, the manna, was not sufficient to sustain their natural force, and preserve their lives. It seems, however, from the expression, that they were wholly carnal; that they had no spirituality of mind; they were earthly, animal, and devilish.
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…
This verse reveals that "testing God" isn't just about outward actions; it begins "in their heart" through an unsatisfied craving that dismisses what God has already provided. Their demand for desired food, rather than necessary sustenance, shows a deep distrust that God's provision is enough, exposing a spiritual emptiness masked by physical longing.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history in the wilderness, highlighting their persistent ingratitude and testing of God despite His constant provision. This verse specifically addresses their craving for meat, contrasting it with the manna God was already supplying, demonstrating a deep-seated dissatisfaction and lack of trust in His care. The narrative continues to show how this distrust led to further sin and ultimately God's judgment.
"They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved." — This verse reveals that "testing God" isn't just about outward actions; it begins "in their heart" through an unsatisfied craving that dismisses what God has already provided. Their demand for desire…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 78:18 is available in the Sola app.