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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 78:18 They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_078_018.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:18 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.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/78-17.htm" title="Psalm 78:17">◄</a> Psalm 78:18 <a href="/psalms/78-19.htm" title="Psalm 78:19">►</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 />They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And in their heart they put God to the test By asking for food that suited their taste.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And in their heart they put God to the test By asking for food according to their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And in their hearts they put God to the test By asking for food according to their [selfish] appetite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They deliberately tested God, demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They deliberately tested God, demanding the food they craved. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They stubbornly tested God and demanded from him what they wanted to eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They deliberately tested God by demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They deliberately put God to the test by demanding the food they wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />To test God was in their minds, when they demanded food to satisfy their cravings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their heart by asking food for their desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they try God in their heart, "" To ask food for their lust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they try God in their heart, To ask food for their lust.<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 tempt God in their heart to ask food for their soul.<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 tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:18>And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking for food according to their desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They tested God in their hearts, demanding the food they craved. <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 in their heart by demanding the food they craved.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their hearts by asking food to satisfy their desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their heart, asking for food for themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they tried God in their heart By asking food for their craving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they tempted God in their hearts, in asking meat for <i>the desire of</i> their souls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-18.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=9588" 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">17</span>But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: bil·ḇā·ḇām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">They willfully</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.">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/7592.htm" title="7592: liš·’āl- (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">by demanding</a> <a href="/hebrew/400.htm" title="400: ’ō·ḵel (N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; food.">the food</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: lə·nap̄·šām (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">they craved.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?…<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/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-18.htm">Numbers 11:18-20</a></span><br />And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. / You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, / but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-31.htm">Numbers 11:31-34</a></span><br />Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. / All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp. / But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2-3</a></span><br />And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-7.htm">Exodus 16:7-8</a></span><br />and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we, that you should grumble against us?” / And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2-3</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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Deuteronomy 9:22</a></span><br />You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.<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 10:9-10</a></span><br />We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">1 Corinthians 10:6</a></span><br />These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-26.htm">John 6:26-27</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. / Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-30.htm">John 6:30-31</a></span><br />So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”<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="/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="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-18</a></span><br />For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.</p><p class="hdg">by asking meat</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-14.htm">Psalm 106:14,15</a></b></br> But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2,3</a></b></br> And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4</a></b></br> And the mixt multitude that <i>was</i> among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/11-34.htm">Craved</a> <a href="/job/20-20.htm">Craving</a> <a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Demanding</a> <a href="/psalms/73-25.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Test</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/psalms/26-2.htm">Try</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Willfully</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-29.htm">Craved</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Craving</a> <a href="/luke/11-16.htm">Demanding</a> <a href="/psalms/78-29.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/78-37.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/78-37.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Test</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Try</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Willfully</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>They willfully tested God</b><br>This phrase highlights the intentional nature of the Israelites' actions. In the wilderness, the Israelites repeatedly tested God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2-7</a> and <a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a>. Testing God implies a lack of faith and trust in His provision and character. The Israelites' actions reflect a heart of rebellion and disbelief, despite witnessing God's miracles. This testing is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God's patience and faithfulness are contrasted with human disobedience. Theologically, it underscores the human tendency to doubt and challenge divine authority, a theme echoed in the New Testament, such as in <a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a>, which warns against hardening hearts as in the rebellion.<p><b>by demanding the food they craved</b><br>The Israelites' demand for specific food reflects their dissatisfaction with God's provision of manna, as recorded in <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a>. This craving for the food of Egypt symbolizes a longing for their past life, despite its bondage, and a rejection of God's current provision. The demand for meat and other foods represents a deeper spiritual issue of ingratitude and lack of contentment. In a broader biblical context, this craving can be seen as a metaphor for the human tendency to desire worldly pleasures over spiritual sustenance. Jesus addresses a similar issue in <a href="/john/6-26.htm">John 6:26-27</a>, where He encourages seeking the "food that endures to eternal life" rather than temporary, earthly satisfaction. This phrase also serves as a warning against the dangers of succumbing to fleshly desires, which can lead to spiritual testing and rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. They are the primary subjects of <a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a>, which recounts their history and relationship with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. It is a place of testing and reliance on God for provision.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in the Psalm, who provides, guides, and disciplines His people. He is tested by the Israelites through their demands and lack of faith.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/manna_and_quail.htm">Manna and Quail</a></b><br>The miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites in the wilderness. Manna was a daily provision, while quail was given in response to their complaints.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/exodus.htm">Exodus</a></b><br>The event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, which is a backdrop for their wilderness journey and the context of their testing of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_god_reflects_a_lack_of_faith.htm">Testing God Reflects a Lack of Faith</a></b><br>The Israelites' demands for specific food demonstrate a lack of trust in God's provision. As believers, we should cultivate faith in God's timing and methods of provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_with_god's_provision.htm">Contentment with God's Provision</a></b><br>The craving for specific foods shows discontentment with what God has provided. We are called to be content with God's blessings and trust His wisdom in meeting our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complaining.htm">The Danger of Complaining</a></b><br>Complaining against God can lead to spiritual consequences. We should guard our hearts against grumbling and instead offer gratitude for His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_discipline.htm">God's Patience and Discipline</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' testing, God remains patient but also disciplines them to teach reliance on Him. We should recognize God's discipline as an act of love and a call to deeper trust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a></b><br>Psalm 78 serves as a reminder to learn from the past mistakes of God's people. We should study these accounts to avoid similar pitfalls in our spiritual journey.<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_it_wrong_to_question_the_bible.htm">Is questioning the Bible's teachings wrong?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_35_9_imply_unanswered_cries.htm">Why does Job 35:9 imply people cry out but receive no answer, contradicting verses elsewhere describing divine rescue?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_if_job's_pleas_lack_merit.htm">In light of Job 35:16, why would a merciful God remain silent if Job's pleas are without merit, given other scriptures showing God responding to human need?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_compassion_and_forgiveness.htm">What does the Bible say about chronic pain?</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 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust</span>; rather, <span class="accented">by asking food</span> (Kay, Cheyne, Alexander). The term used (<span class="hebrew">אכל</span>) is wide enough to include both bread (<span class="hebrew">לחם</span>) and flesh (<span class="hebrew">שׁאר</span>). "For their lust" (literally, "for their soul") means for the gratification of their carnal appetites (comp. <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3</a>; <a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Numbers 11:5</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-18.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">They willfully</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְבָבָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bil·ḇā·ḇām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tested</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְנַסּוּ־</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">אֵ֥ל</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">by demanding</span><br /><span class="heb">לִֽשְׁאָל־</span> <span class="translit">(liš·’āl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the food</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֥כֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḵel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_400.htm">Strong's 400: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they craved.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·nap̄·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:18 They tempted God in their heart (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:19" /></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>