Psalms 78:17

And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

And they sinned {H2398}{H8800)} yet more {H3254}{H8686)} against him by provoking {H4784}{H8687)} the most High {H5945} in the wilderness {H6723}.

Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High;

But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

Yet went they on still to sin against him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert.

Commentary

Psalm 78:17 describes a persistent pattern of rebellion by the Israelites against God during their wilderness wanderings. Despite witnessing numerous miracles and receiving divine provision, they continued to disregard God's commands and challenge His authority.

Context

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting the history of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic kingdom. It serves as a didactic poem, teaching future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. Verse 17 follows descriptions of God's incredible provisions, such as manna from heaven and water from the rock. The phrase "sinned yet more against him" indicates a continuation and escalation of their already established pattern of grumbling and disobedience, highlighting their deep-seated lack of trust and gratitude despite overwhelming evidence of God's care.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Rebellion: The verse underscores Israel's chronic tendency to rebel against God, even after experiencing His power and grace. Their sin was not an isolated incident but a continuous provocation.
  • Ingratitude: Despite God's miraculous provision and protection in the harsh wilderness, the Israelites responded with complaints and disbelief, demonstrating a profound lack of gratitude.
  • Testing God's Patience: "Provoking the most High" illustrates their audacious challenge to God's authority and patience. This act of "testing" God often stemmed from unbelief and a desire to see if He truly could or would provide.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The psalm repeatedly connects Israel's suffering and prolonged wilderness journey to their stubborn rebellion against the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "provoking" (ืžึธืจึธื” - marah) carries the sense of being rebellious, disobedient, or bitter. It implies a deliberate act of defiance against authority, which in this context, is the sovereign God. The title "most High" (ืขึถืœึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ - Elyon) emphasizes God's supreme exaltation and transcendence, making their act of provocation all the more serious as it was directed against the ultimate authority in the universe.

Practical Application

Psalm 78:17 serves as a powerful warning for all believers. It reminds us that:

  • Gratitude is Essential: We must cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's blessings, rather than focusing on perceived lacks or difficulties.
  • Beware of Persistent Sin: Unaddressed sin and a pattern of disobedience can harden our hearts, making us less responsive to God's leading, much like the Israelites in the wilderness.
  • Trust in God's Provision: Even in challenging "wilderness" seasons of life, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness and provision, rather than provoking Him with doubt and complaint. Our response to trials reveals the true state of our faith.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 63:10

    But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

  • Deuteronomy 9:8

    Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

  • Psalms 106:13

    ยถ They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

  • Psalms 106:32

    They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

  • Hebrews 3:16

    For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

  • Hebrews 3:19

    So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

  • Deuteronomy 9:12

    And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted [themselves]; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.