Discovery BoxPsalms 78:17-23 
Context78:17 Yet they continued to sin against him,
and rebelled against the sovereign One 1 in the desert.
78:18 They willfully challenged God 2
by asking for food to satisfy their appetite.
78:19 They insulted God, saying, 3
“Is God really able to give us food 4 in the wilderness?
78:20 Yes, 5 he struck a rock and water flowed out,
streams gushed forth.
But can he also give us food?
Will he provide meat for his people?”
78:21 When 6 the Lord heard this, he was furious.
A fire broke out against Jacob,
and his anger flared up 7 against Israel,
78:22 because they did not have faith in God,
and did not trust his ability to deliver them. 8
78:23 He gave a command to the clouds above,
and opened the doors in the sky.
1 tn Heb “rebelling [against] the Most High.”
2 tn Heb “and they tested God in their heart.” The “heart” is viewed here as the center of their volition.
3 tn Heb “they spoke against God, they said.”
4 tn Heb “to arrange a table [for food].”
5 tn Heb “look.”
6 tn Heb “therefore.”
7 tn Heb “and also anger went up.”
8 tn Heb “and they did not trust his deliverance.”
