Psalms 78:9-41

9The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.

10They did not keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law,

11And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.

12Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

13He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; And He made the waters stand up like a heap.

14In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, And all the night with a light of fire.

15He split the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink in abundance like the depths.

16He also brought streams out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.

17But they sinned even more against Him By rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness.

18And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy.

19Yes, they spoke against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

20Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?”

21Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel,

22Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation.

23Yet He had commanded the clouds above, And opened the doors of heaven,

24Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven.

25Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full.

26He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; And by His power He brought in the south wind.

27He also rained meat on them like the dust, Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;

28And He let them fall in the midst of their camp, All around their dwellings.

29So they ate and were well filled, For He gave them their own desire.

30They were not deprived of their craving; But while their food was still in their mouths,

31The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel.

32In spite of this they still sinned, And did not believe in His wondrous works.

33Therefore their days He consumed in futility, And their years in fear.

34When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God.

35Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.

36Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, And they lied to Him with their tongue;

37For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

38But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath;

39For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.

40How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert!

41Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.