Psalms 78:12-43

12He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13He divided the sea and led them across it; he made the water stand in a heap.

14He led them with a cloud by day, and with the light of a fire all night long.

15He broke open rocks in the wilderness, and gave them enough water to fill the depths of the sea.

16He caused streams to flow from the rock, and made the water flow like rivers.

17Yet they continued to sin against him, and rebelled against the sovereign One in the desert.

18They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite.

19They insulted God, saying, “Is God really able to give us food in the wilderness?

20Yes, 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?”

21When the Lord heard this, he was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger flared up against Israel,

22because they did not have faith in God, and did not trust his ability to deliver them.

23He gave a command to the clouds above, and opened the doors in the sky.

24He rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven.

25Man ate the food of the mighty ones. He sent them more than enough to eat.

26He brought the east wind through the sky, and by his strength led forth the south wind.

27He rained down meat on them like dust, birds as numerous as the sand on the seashores.

28He caused them to fall right in the middle of their camp, all around their homes.

29They ate until they were stuffed; he gave them what they desired.

30They were not yet filled up, their food was still in their mouths,

31when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees.

32Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not trust him to do amazing things.

33So he caused them to die unsatisfied and filled with terror.

34When he struck them down, they sought his favor; they turned back and longed for God.

35They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer.

36But they deceived him with their words, and lied to him.

37They were not really committed to him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant.

38Yet he is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back his anger, and does not stir up his fury.

39He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and insulted him in the desert!

41They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel.

42They did not remember what he had done, how he delivered them from the enemy,

43when he performed his awesome deeds in Egypt, and his acts of judgment in the region of Zoan.