The Bible Says
Psalm 78:17-20 Meaning

The psalmist recounts the stubbornness of the Israelites here in Psalm 78:17-20, saying, Yet they still continued to sin against Him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert (v. 17). These words reveal the ongoing cycle of disobedience that plagued God’s chosen people even after experiencing His miraculous guidance and provision. The phrase in the desert points to the wilderness of Sinai, where the Israelites wandered after their deliverance from Egypt, dating back to around 1446 BC. Despite witnessing the Lord’s mighty works, they persisted in unfaithfulness, which illustrates how quickly human hearts can turn from gratitude to doubt.

This verse asserts that the people continued to sin against the Most High, pointing to God’s supreme authority over all creation. Rather than responding to His sovereignty with reverence, the Israelites challenged His directives. Their rebellion in the wilderness included complaints, idol worship, and refusal to trust in God’s protective plan. The narrative underscores that sin is more than just isolated acts; it is a condition of the heart that manifests repeatedly if left unaddressed.

Such rebellion was not merely a test of human patience but a test of faith in the Lord. This dynamic resonates powerfully across the testimony of Scripture, calling believers to examine their own hearts for lingering unbelief. In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews urges believers not to harden their hearts as those in the wilderness did, but to submit to God’s gracious guidance and trust in His promises (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Moving to the next stanza, the psalm continues: And in their heart they put God to the test by asking food according to their desire (v. 18). In their wilderness journey, the Israelites not only sinned but deliberately challenged God’s willingness and ability to care for them. They craved security on their own terms, demonstrating a dangerous combination of pride and doubt. Their demand for food was not a simple request; it was an ultimatum that questioned God’s faithful character.

At a deeper, heart level, this act reveals the depth of their unbelief. By putting God to the test, the Israelites sought concrete proof that He would uphold His covenant. This was a stark contrast to the posture of genuine faith, which believes God’s Word and promises without requiring constant signs. The desert context made their demand even more evident—there was no other source of sustenance, yet they refused to trust God’s care.

Such testing also highlights humanity’s tendency to reduce God to a servant of our appetites when trials arise. Jesus later faces a similar temptation in the wilderness where He is urged to turn stones to bread to satisfy human hunger (Matthew 4:3-4). In that moment, Christ demonstrates the faithful response the Israelites lacked. He chooses trust over testing, modeling obedience to God’s Word above immediate, physical desire.

The text continues with a direct challenge to God’s power: Then they spoke against God; they said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” (v. 19). This question reflects the people’s limited view of God, as though His creative and sustaining power might somehow fail them. Despite leading them out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, they still questioned whether He could adequately feed them in the barren surroundings of Sinai.

The phrase prepare a table suggests not just supplying food but doing so in a way that meets every need. For those wandering in harsh desert conditions, a table would imply abundance, stability, and security — concepts that seem out of reach in a hostile landscape. Yet God’s deliverance in the past had already provided countless examples of His commitment to fulfill their every need.

The heart of this verse conveys the danger of forgetting past miracles. In modern application, believers can face desert seasons — moments or circumstances where provision seems impossible. Psalm 78 urges us not to lose sight of God’s faithfulness. Instead, we are called to remember that He who provided in the past remains the same God today (Hebrews 13:8), worthy of our complete trust.

The culminating question arises in the next verse: Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, and streams were overflowing; can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people? (v. 20). Here, the psalm references the miraculous event where water flowed from the rock, an act that took place during Israel’s wilderness journey under the leadership of Moses. Although Moses is not named here, the historical occasion dates to around the same period in the mid—15th century BC, displaying God’s power in an unmistakable way.

The people pointed to that event as evidence of God’s might yet still questioned whether the Lord could supply bread and meat. Their selective remembrance reveals a pattern of doubt: acknowledging one miracle but demanding another before fully committing their trust. This not only discounts the Lord’s power but also overlooks His loving intention to sustain them day by day.

In a broader sense, this serves as a reminder that God’s provision extends far beyond the physical realm. In the New Testament era, Jesus proclaims Himself as the Bread of Life, offering eternal sustenance for all who believe (John 6:35). This statement fulfills and surpasses the physical needs for bread that the Israelites demanded. Where they questioned, Christ reaffirms the Father’s willingness and power to provide, both physically and spiritually.