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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm" title="Psalm 78:40">◄</a> Psalm 78:41 <a href="/psalms/78-42.htm" title="Psalm 78:42">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Again and again they tested God’s patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Again and again they tempted God, And pained the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Again and again they tempted God, And pained the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And again and again they tempted God, And pained the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Again and again they tested God, And pained the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Again and again they tempted God, And distressed the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They constantly tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They constantly tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they turned again and tempted God, And provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They kept testing him and caused terrible pain for the Holy One of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Again and again they tested God, and they pushed the Holy One of Israel to the limit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Again and again they put God to the test and brought pain to the Holy God of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They tested God again and again, provoking the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They turned again and tempted God, and gave pain to the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, they turn back, and try God, "" And have limited the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Yea, they turn back, and try God, And the Holy One of Israel have limited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will turn back and tempt God, and they broke in upon the Holy One of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they turned back and tempted God: and grieved the holy one of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:41>And they turned back and tempted God, and they exasperated the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Again and again they tested God, provoked the Holy One of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They tested God again and again, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and defied the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they turned back and they tempted God and they provoked The Holy One of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And still again they tried God, And set bounds to the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Yea, they turned back, and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-41.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9740" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">40</span>How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! <span class="reftext">41</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šū·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Again and again</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: way·nas·sū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">they tested</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8428.htm" title="8428: hiṯ·wū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- Probably to pain, wound. A primitive root; to grieve.">and provoked</a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: ū·qə·ḏō·wōš (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">the Holy</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">One of Israel.</a> </span><span class="reftext">42</span>They did not remember His power—the day He redeemed them from the adversary,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a></span><br />not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10</a></span><br />But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a></span><br />do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2-7</a></span><br />So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” / Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a></span><br />Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a></span><br />We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Judges 2:12-14</a></span><br />Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. / Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14-15</a></span><br />But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24-26</a></span><br />Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. / From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Ezekiel 20:21</a></span><br />But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-7.htm">Matthew 4:7</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11-12</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. / Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-12.htm">Luke 4:12</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39-42</a></span><br />But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">year</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-4.htm">Numbers 14:4,22</a></b></br> And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a></b></br> Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted <i>him</i> in Massah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39</a></b></br> To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust <i>him</i> from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,</p><p class="hdg">limited</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Psalm 78:19,20</a></b></br> Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/5-35.htm">Mark 5:35,36</a></b></br> While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's <i>house certain</i> which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/74-17.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Grieved</a> <a href="/psalms/77-13.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-1.htm">Limited</a> <a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/73-21.htm">Pained</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Test</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Try</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Vexed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/148-6.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/psalms/95-10.htm">Grieved</a> <a href="/psalms/78-54.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/psalms/78-55.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Limited</a> <a href="/psalms/119-143.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/97-4.htm">Pained</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Test</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Try</a> <a href="/psalms/78-57.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/78-44.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/112-10.htm">Vexed</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Again and again they tested God</b><br>This phrase highlights the repeated disobedience and lack of faith exhibited by the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The testing of God refers to their continual questioning of His power and provision, as seen in events like the demand for water at Massah and Meribah (<a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a>, <a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2-13</a>). This behavior reflects a pattern of unbelief and rebellion, despite witnessing numerous miracles. The testing of God is a theme that recurs throughout the Old Testament, illustrating the human tendency to doubt divine faithfulness. It serves as a warning against hardening one's heart, as emphasized in <a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a>, which references these events to caution believers.<p><b>and provoked the Holy One of Israel</b><br>The term "Holy One of Israel" is a title for God that underscores His purity, separateness, and covenant relationship with Israel. Provoking God indicates a deliberate act of defiance and disrespect towards His holiness and authority. This provocation is seen in the Israelites' idolatry, such as the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32), and their frequent complaints against God's appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of Israel's history, where their actions often led to divine judgment and discipline. The title "Holy One of Israel" is frequently used by the prophet Isaiah, emphasizing God's unique relationship with His people and His expectations of their faithfulness (<a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a>, <a href="/isaiah/30-11.htm">Isaiah 30:11</a>). This phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and reverence towards God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, representing the divine being who is tested and provoked by the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_holy_one_of_israel.htm">The Holy One of Israel</a></b><br>A title for God, emphasizing His holiness and special relationship with Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who repeatedly tested and provoked God throughout their history.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for much of Israel's testing of God, particularly during their 40-year journey after the Exodus.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/exodus.htm">Exodus</a></b><br>The event of Israel's liberation from Egypt, which serves as a backdrop for their subsequent testing of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_holiness.htm">Understanding God's Holiness</a></b><br>Recognize the significance of God being the "Holy One of Israel" and how His holiness demands reverence and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_repeated_testing.htm">The Danger of Repeated Testing</a></b><br>Reflect on the pattern of testing God and how it reveals a lack of faith and trust in His provision and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_israel's_mistakes.htm">Learning from Israel's Mistakes</a></b><br>Use the history of Israel as a cautionary tale to avoid similar patterns of disbelief and rebellion in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_faithfulness.htm">Trusting in God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem challenging or uncertain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_provoking_god.htm">The Consequences of Provoking God</a></b><br>Understand the spiritual and practical consequences of provoking God through disobedience and lack of faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_divine_punishment_in_psalm_78_at_odds_with_a_loving_god.htm">Does the repeated theme of divine punishment in Psalm 78 conflict with the concept of a loving God found in other biblical passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_elisha's_act_in_2_kings_13_14-19_consistent.htm">How consistent is Elisha's symbolic act in 2 Kings 13:14-19 with other biblical prophecies, and does it question divine sovereignty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_poverty_persist_despite_psalm_113.htm">(Psalm 113:7-8) Despite the claim that God 'raises the poor' and seats them 'with princes,' how do we explain the ongoing existence of poverty with little evidence of divine intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_threaten_israel_if_moses_would_intercede.htm">In Numbers 14:11-12, why would God threaten to destroy the Israelites if He already knew Moses would intercede successfully?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(41) <span class= "bld">Limited.</span>--A verb used in <a href="/ezekiel/9-4.htm" title="And the LORD said to him, Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the middle thereof.">Ezekiel 9:4</a> for putting a mark on the forehead, which has been very variously explained. Some render <span class= "ital">branded </span>or <span class= "ital">cast a stigma on</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>brought discredit on the Divine name. The LXX. and Vulg. have "exasperated," and so some moderns "crossed," "thwarted." Gratz emends to "asked signs from," but perhaps the ideas of marking something that has been <span class= "ital">tried, </span>and that of <span class= "ital">trying </span>or <span class= "ital">tempting </span>are sufficiently near to allow us to render <span class= "ital">tempted.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 41.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Yea, they turned back and tempted God;</span> rather, <span class="accented">again and again they</span> <span class="accented">tempted God</span> (Hengstenberg, Kay, Cheyne); see <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2, 7</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a>. <span class="cmt_word">And limited the Holy One of Israel</span> (comp. <a href="/numbers/34-7.htm">Numbers 34:7, 8</a>). This may mean either "they set limits to his power in their own minds" (see ver. 20), or "they actually limited his power to help and succour them by their want of faith" (comp. <a href="/mark/6-5.htm">Mark 6:5</a>, "He could there do no mighty work," explained in <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Matthew 13:58</a> to have been "because of their unbelief"). The other meanings suggested - "disgraced" and" provoked" - are less probable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-41.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Again and again</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they tested</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְנַסּ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·nas·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to attempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and provoked</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְווּ׃‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8428.htm">Strong's 8428: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably to pain, wound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Holy</span><br /><span class="heb">וּקְד֖וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·qə·ḏō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">One of Israel.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:41 They turned again and tempted God (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-42.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:42"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:42" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>