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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 78:34 When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_078_034.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:34 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/78-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/78-34.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Chapter 78</a> > Verse 34</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.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/78-33.htm" title="Psalm 78:33">◄</a> Psalm 78:34 <a href="/psalms/78-35.htm" title="Psalm 78:35">►</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 />Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When God began killing them, they finally sought him. They repented and took God seriously.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When He killed them, then they sought Him, And they returned and searched diligently for God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When He killed them, then they sought Him, And returned and searched diligently for God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When He killed them, then they sought Him, And returned and searched diligently for God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When He killed them, then they sought Him, And returned and sought earnestly for God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When He killed [some of] them, then those remaining sought Him, And they returned [to Him] and searched diligently for God [for a time].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he killed some of them, the rest began to seek him; they repented and searched for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When He killed some of them, the rest began to seek Him; they repented and searched for God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they inquired after him; And they returned and sought God earnestly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After he killed some of them, the others turned to him with all their hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they inquired after him: and they returned and sought God early.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When he killed [some of] them, [the rest] searched for him. They turned from their sins and eagerly looked for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Whenever he killed some of them, the rest would turn to him; they would repent and pray earnestly to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When he struck them, they sought him; they repented, and eagerly sought God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When he struck them down, they sought his favor; they turned back and longed for God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If He slew them, then they sought Him, "" And turned back, and earnestly sought God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If He slew them, then they sought Him, And turned back, and sought God earnestly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />When he slew them and they sought him, and they turned back and sought for God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned, and came to him early in the morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:34>When he slew them, then they sought him. And they returned, and they drew near to him in the early morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When he slew them, they began to seek him; they again looked for God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he killed them, they sought for him; they repented and sought God earnestly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When he slew them, then they sought him; and they returned and drew nearer to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />When he was killing them they were seeking him; they were returning and coming before his presence.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When He slew them, then they would inquire after Him, And turn back and seek God earnestly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />When he slew them, they sought him: and they returned and called betimes upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-34.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=9691" 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">33</span>So He ended their days in futility, and their years in sudden terror. <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hă·rā·ḡām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">He slew them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: ū·ḏə·rā·šū·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">they would seek Him;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·šā·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">they repented</a> <a href="/hebrew/7836.htm" title="7836: wə·ši·ḥă·rū- (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To look early or diligently for. A primitive root; properly, to dawn, i.e. be early at any task; by extension, to search for.">and searched for</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> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>And they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.…<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="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a></span><br />Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Isaiah 26:9</a></span><br />My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-27.htm">Jeremiah 2:27</a></span><br />say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Yet in the time of trouble, they say, ‘Rise up and save us!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-1.htm">Hosea 6:1</a></span><br />Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-30.htm">Deuteronomy 4:30</a></span><br />When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-13.htm">2 Chronicles 7:13-14</a></span><br />If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, / and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Jeremiah 3:10</a></span><br />Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Ezekiel 33:11</a></span><br />Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6-10</a></span><br />“I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. / “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. / People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-8.htm">Job 36:8-10</a></span><br />And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction, / then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed. / He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">1 Kings 8:33-34</a></span><br />When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-12.htm">Jeremiah 29:12-13</a></span><br />Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-7.htm">Numbers 21:7</a></b></br> Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Judges 3:8,9,12-15</a></b></br> Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/4-3.htm">Judges 4:3</a></b></br> And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Care</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/psalms/5-3.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Early</a> <a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Enquired</a> <a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/job/42-6.htm">Repented</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Search</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/78-17.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Whenever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-71.htm">Care</a> <a href="/psalms/78-50.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/119-4.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/psalms/145-7.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/psalms/84-6.htm">Early</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-3.htm">Enquired</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-1.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/psalms/78-47.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/psalms/106-45.htm">Repented</a> <a href="/psalms/105-4.htm">Search</a> <a href="/psalms/111-2.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/psalms/83-16.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/psalms/105-29.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/psalms/86-14.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-17.htm">Whenever</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>When He slew them</b><br>This phrase refers to God's judgment upon the Israelites, often seen throughout their history when they turned away from Him. The context of <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a> is a recounting of Israel's repeated disobedience and God's corresponding acts of discipline. The "slaying" can be understood as divine retribution, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, such as in the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) or the punishment of the Israelites in the wilderness (<a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29-35</a>). This demonstrates God's holiness and justice, emphasizing that sin has consequences.<p><b>they would seek Him</b><br>In times of distress and judgment, the Israelites often turned back to God, seeking His mercy and deliverance. This pattern of behavior is seen throughout the book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin, face oppression, cry out to God, and are delivered by a judge. Seeking God in times of trouble is a common biblical theme, highlighting human dependency on divine intervention. It also reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God remains faithful even when His people are not.<p><b>they repented</b><br>Repentance here involves a change of heart and a turning back to God. In the Hebrew context, repentance (teshuvah) is not merely feeling sorry but involves a complete transformation and return to God's ways. This is seen in the prophetic calls to repentance, such as in the messages of Isaiah and Jeremiah, where the prophets urge Israel to return to God to avoid impending judgment. Repentance is a key aspect of the covenant, where God promises restoration and forgiveness if His people return to Him.<p><b>and searched for God</b><br>This phrase indicates a deeper, more earnest pursuit of God, beyond mere ritualistic practices. Searching for God implies a sincere desire to know Him and align with His will. This is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." It suggests a relational aspect of faith, where God desires a genuine connection with His people. This pursuit of God is ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who provides the way to a restored relationship with 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, God is depicted as the one who disciplines His people, leading them to repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who are the recipients of God's discipline and who respond by seeking Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>The act of turning back to God, which is a key theme in this verse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/divine_discipline.htm">Divine Discipline</a></b><br>The event of God "slaying" or disciplining His people to bring them back to Him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god.htm">Seeking God</a></b><br>The response of the Israelites to God's discipline, indicating a return to faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_divine_discipline.htm">The Purpose of Divine Discipline</a></b><br>God's discipline is not punitive but redemptive, aimed at bringing His people back to a right relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_repentance.htm">The Heart of Repentance</a></b><br>True repentance involves a sincere turning back to God, not just a temporary change in behavior.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_times_of_trouble.htm">Seeking God in Times of Trouble</a></b><br>Difficult circumstances can be opportunities to seek God more earnestly and deepen our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_faithfulness_of_god.htm">The Faithfulness of God</a></b><br>Even when we stray, God remains faithful, using discipline to draw us back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_repentance.htm">The Role of Community in Repentance</a></b><br>As a community of believers, we can support one another in the journey of repentance and seeking God.<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/what_is_the_role_of_the_good_shepherd.htm">What is the role of the Good Shepherd?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_leave_99_sheep_to_find_1.htm">Why would a shepherd risk leaving ninety-nine sheep to fend for themselves just to find one, as stated in Luke 15:4?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_spare_nineveh_but_not_the_plant.htm">Jonah 4:9 - Why does God confront Jonah about his anger over the withered plant yet spare Nineveh, seeming inconsistent with other punitive Bible narratives?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When he slew them, then they sought him</span> (comp. <a href="/exodus/32-28.htm">Exodus 32:28, 35</a>; <a href="/exodus/33-4.htm">Exodus 33:4, 10</a>; <a href="/numbers/11-33.htm">Numbers 11:33</a>; <a href="/numbers/16-48.htm">Numbers 16:48, 49</a>, etc.). The repentance is not always noticed in the Mosaic narrative, being, as it was, short-lived, if not even feigned (ver. 36). But, no doubt, after each outpouring of the Divine vengeance, there was at least some show of repentance, as noted in <a href="/exodus/33-4.htm">Exodus 33:4</a>. <span class="cmt_word">And they returned</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> turned back from their evil courses - <span class="cmt_word">and inquired early after God;</span> rather, <span class="accented">earnestly</span> (Cheyne, Canon Cook). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-34.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">When</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He slew them,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרָגָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(hă·rā·ḡām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would seek Him;</span><br /><span class="heb">וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḏə·rā·šū·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they repented</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common 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">and searched for</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ši·ḥă·rū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7836.htm">Strong's 7836: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dawn, be, early at any task, to search for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽל׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:34 When he killed them then they inquired (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:35" /></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>