Psalms 78:32
In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The surprising thing here is not just that they sinned again, but that they "still" sinned and "still" didn't believe because of God's wondrous works. This means their experience of His power and miracles didn't make them trust Him more; it actually became the very reason for their continued disbelief, highlighting a deep-seated rebellion.
After recounting God's amazing acts, like parting the Red Sea and providing water from a rock, the psalmist highlights the people's continued disobedience and disbelief. Despite experiencing these direct interventions and punishments, their hearts remained hardened, showing a deep-seated pattern of unfaithfulness that repeated throughout their history.
Imagine experiencing God's incredible power firsthand – yet still choosing to disobey. This verse reveals a shocking pattern in Israel's history, and perhaps in our own hearts too.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's journey, emphasizing a tragic cycle: God performed 'wondrous works,' yet the people 'sinned still.'
The Cycle of Disobedience
This highlights a profound truth: experiencing God's goodness doesn't automatically lead to a changed heart. Genuine faith is required to truly respond to His acts.
What's the real reason people turn away from God, even after seeing His power? This verse points to a dangerous underlying issue: a lack of genuine belief.
The phrase 'they did not believe' isn't just about a lack of intellectual assent; it's about a failure to trust God's character and promises.
The Danger of Practical Unbelief
Understand the original words
pele · Hebrew Noun
Acts of divine power that exceed natural laws, performed by God to reveal His presence, authority, and purpose to His people and the nations.
aman · Hebrew Verb
The foundational spiritual defect of failing to trust in God's word and character, which leads to disobedience and alienation from His covenant promises.
This psalm reflects on Israel's persistent unbelief and sin, even after experiencing God's powerful deliverance and judgment. The 'wondrous works' spoken of here refer to events like the Exodus and the miraculous provision in the wilderness, yet the people repeatedly failed to trust God, leading to severe consequences like the 40-year sentence in the desert.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
Following the Exodus, the Israelites begin their journey through the Sinai desert towards the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
After God provides water from a rock, the people still refuse to enter the Promised Land, leading to God's judgment.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Sentence of 40 Years in Wilderness
As punishment for their unbelief and rebellion, the generation that left Egypt is condemned to die in the wilderness.
This passage describes God's frustration with the Israelites' persistent unbelief and refusal to enter the promised land, despite witnessing His numerous wonders, directly mirroring the sentiment in Psalms 78:32.
Hebrews 3:16This New Testament passage explicitly references the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness as a cautionary tale, highlighting their repeated sinning and disbelief even after God's mighty acts, echoing Psalms 78:32.
John 12:37Jesus laments that despite all the signs He performed, many still did not believe in Him, drawing a parallel between the Israelites' response to God's wonders in the Old Testament and the people's response to Jesus in the New Testament, as described in Psalms 78:32.
Deuteronomy 9:23Moses recounts how the Israelites angered the Lord and provoked Him to destroy them, emphasizing their rebellion and lack of faith even after experiencing God's deliverance from Egypt, which aligns with the theme of persistent sinning despite wonders in Psalms 78:32.
clarkePsalms 78:32: "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works."
For all this they sinned still - How astonishing is this! They were neither drawn by mercies, nor awed by judgments! But we shall cease to wonder at this, if we have a thorough acquaintance with our own hearts.
pulpitPsalms 78:32: "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works."
Verse 32. - For all this they sinned still. Neither gratitude for favours received (vers. 13-17), nor alarm at punishments inflicted (ver. 31), had any effect on the stiff-necked people; despite of both, they "sinned still" (comp. vers. 40, 41, 56-58). And believed not for his wondrous works. Unbelief was at the root of their contumacy. They could not deny God's mighty works in the past, but they did not ac…
The surprising thing here is not just that they sinned again, but that they "still" sinned and "still" didn't believe because of God's wondrous works. This means their experience of His power and miracles didn't make them trust Him more; it actually became the very reason for their continued disbelief, highlighting a deep-seated rebellion.
After recounting God's amazing acts, like parting the Red Sea and providing water from a rock, the psalmist highlights the people's continued disobedience and disbelief. Despite experiencing these direct interventions and punishments, their hearts remained hardened, showing a deep-seated pattern of unfaithfulness that repeated throughout their history.
After recounting God's amazing acts, like parting the Red Sea and providing water from a rock, the psalmist highlights the people's continued disobedience and disbelief. Despite experiencing these direct interventions and punishments, their hearts remained hardened, showing a deep-seated pattern of unfaithfulness that repeated throughout their history.
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 78:32 is available in the Sola app.
This shows that simply acknowledging God's past actions isn't enough. True faith involves a present trust that shapes our actions and choices.
c. 1405 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After 40 years, the new generation of Israelites crosses the Jordan River and begins the conquest of the Promised Land.
"In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe." — The surprising thing here is not just that they sinned again, but that they "still" sinned and "still" didn't believe because of God's wondrous works. This means their experience of His power and…
