Psalms 78:17-36

¹⁷Yet they still went on sinning against him, they defied the Most High in the desert.

¹⁸They wilfully challenged God, demanding the food that they longed for.

¹⁹“Is God able,” such was their challenge, “to spread in the desert a table?

²⁰From the rock that he struck there gushed water, and torrents that overflowed; but can he also give bread, or provide his people with meat?”

²¹When the Lord heard this, he was furious, and fire was kindled on Jacob, anger flared up against Israel.

²²For they put no trust in God, no confidence in his help.

²³So he summoned the clouds above; and, opening the doors of heaven,

²⁴he rained manna upon them for food, and grain of heaven he gave them.

²⁵Everyone ate the bread of angels; he sent them food to the full.

²⁶He launched the east wind in the heavens, and guided the south by his power.

²⁷He rained meat upon them like dust, winged bird like the sand of the sea.

²⁸In the midst of their camp he dropped it, all around their tents.

²⁹They ate and were more than filled; he had brought them the thing they desired.

³⁰But the thing they desired became loathsome: while their food was still in their mouths,

³¹the wrath of God rose against them. He slew the stoutest amongst them, and laid low the young men of Israel.

³²Yet for all this they sinned yet more, and refused to believe in his wonders.

³³So he ended their days in a breath, and their years in sudden dismay.

³⁴When he slew them, then they sought after him, they turned and sought God with diligence.

³⁵They remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their redeemer.

³⁶But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue.