Psalms 78:19

KJV

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, they spake {H1696}{H8762)} against God {H430}; they said {H559}{H8804)}, Can {H3201}{H8799)} God {H410} furnish {H6186}{H8800)} a table {H7979} in the wilderness {H4057}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, they spoke against God by asking, "Can God spread a table in the desert?

Berean Standard Bible

They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?

American Standard Version

Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:19 encapsulates a pivotal moment of Israel's profound spiritual rebellion and doubt during their wilderness sojourn, directly challenging God's omnipotence and willingness to provide. Despite a history of miraculous divine interventions, the people questioned whether the Almighty could provide abundantly in a desolate environment, exposing a deep-seated lack of faith and a tendency towards ingratitude that characterized much of their journey. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the human propensity to limit God and to forget His past faithfulness in the face of new challenges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, a _maskil_ (instructional psalm) attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levitical musician and seer. It functions as a didactic poem, recounting Israel's history from the Exodus to the establishment of David's reign, aiming to teach future generations about God's enduring faithfulness and Israel's recurrent cycles of disobedience, rebellion, and forgetfulness. The psalm frequently juxtaposes God's steadfast love and miraculous provision with the people's persistent unbelief and provocation. Verse 19 specifically falls within a section detailing the wilderness wanderings, a period marked by God's miraculous sustenance (manna, water from the rock) contrasted with the Israelites' constant murmuring and testing of God, particularly concerning food and water, as seen in passages like [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail") and [Numbers 11](/numbers/11 "Numbers 11 - The People Crave Meat").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the forty-year wilderness journey of the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. They were a newly formed nation, still learning to trust Yahweh as their sole God and provider. The wilderness was a harsh, barren environment, inherently challenging for sustenance, which naturally prompted concerns about survival. However, God had already demonstrated His power through the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")), and the initial provision of manna and water. Culturally, the act of "furnishing a table" implied not just basic sustenance but a lavish, abundant meal, indicative of a settled, prosperous life, not a nomadic existence. The Israelites' demand for such provision in the wilderness revealed a deep-seated ingratitude and a desire to dictate terms to God, rather than humbly receiving His provision. This cultural expectation of a "table" in a desolate land underscored their profound distrust in God's ability to transcend natural limitations.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout Psalms 78 and the Pentateuchal narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Unbelief and Doubt**, as the Israelites' question, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?", was not a humble inquiry but a defiant challenge to God's omnipotence and willingness to provide beyond mere survival. This reflects the "evil heart of unbelief" warned against in [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12 - The Danger of Unbelief"). Closely related is the theme of **Testing God**, where the people, through their complaints and demands, effectively put God to the test, often leading to divine displeasure and judgment, as detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Conversely, the verse, by presenting their doubt, paradoxically highlights **God's Omnipotence and Provision**, underscoring His boundless power to sustain His people even in the most desolate circumstances, a truth consistently demonstrated throughout the wilderness narrative, such as the provision of quail and water from the rock ([Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Water from the Rock")). Finally, the verse speaks to **Human Ingratitude and Rebellion**, revealing how quickly the Israelites forgot God's past goodness and His covenant promises, responding to His mercy with complaint and defiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** While this root primarily means "to speak" or "to arrange," when used with the preposition "against" (as implied here), it takes on a strong negative connotation of accusation, complaint, or even blasphemy. It signifies a deliberate act of opposition and challenge to God's character, power, and faithfulness, rather than a humble expression of need. This is not merely reporting speech but highlighting the rebellious nature of their utterance.
* **furnish (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** This verb means "to set in a row," "to arrange," or "to prepare." In the context of "furnishing a table," it implies more than just providing basic sustenance; it suggests setting a full, abundant, and well-ordered meal, akin to a lavish banquet. The Israelites' demand was not for simple provision but for a luxurious, settled abundance, reflecting a desire for comfort and opulence rather than humble trust in God's daily care. This choice of word underscores their demanding and ungrateful disposition.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to drive" (cattle), this term denotes a pasture or open field, but by implication, a desert or barren region. In the biblical narrative, the "wilderness" (_midbâr_) is a place of desolation, hardship, and testing, yet also a place where God uniquely demonstrates His presence and miraculous provision. The Israelites' question specifically challenges God's ability to provide a "table" in this inherently inhospitable environment, highlighting their failure to comprehend His transcendence over natural limitations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, they spake against God;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the contentious nature of the Israelites' disposition. The "Yea" (or "Indeed") emphasizes the severity and deliberateness of their action. "Spake against God" indicates a direct challenge to His authority, character, and power. This was not an innocent question but a rebellious accusation, stemming from a heart of unbelief that refused to acknowledge God's past faithfulness and present capability. It marks a moment of direct confrontation between human doubt and divine sovereignty.
* **"they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?":** This is the core of their rebellious utterance, framed as a rhetorical question designed to express profound skepticism rather than genuine inquiry. The phrase "furnish a table" implies a desire for abundant, luxurious provision, far beyond basic sustenance. The crucial element is "in the wilderness," the very place where God had already demonstrated His miraculous power through manna and water. Their question challenges God's ability to provide in a barren, hostile environment, effectively limiting the Creator of the universe to human constraints and natural possibilities. It reveals a deep-seated distrust in His omnipotence and a failure to remember His mighty acts.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 78:19 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"). This is not a question seeking an answer, but one designed to express doubt, skepticism, and even defiance. It highlights the Israelites' unbelief by framing their challenge to God's power in a seemingly innocent query. The verse also utilizes **Irony**: the very people who had witnessed God's miraculous provision in the wilderness (manna, water from the rock) are now questioning His ability to provide. This stark contrast between God's demonstrated faithfulness and Israel's persistent distrust underscores the depth of their spiritual blindness. Furthermore, there's an element of **Anthropomorphism** in their questioning, as they implicitly project human limitations onto God, suggesting He might be constrained by the natural environment, despite His proven supernatural power. This limitation of God's capabilities by human reasoning is a central theme of their rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:19 profoundly illustrates the recurring theological tension between divine faithfulness and human unbelief. It underscores the truth that God is not limited by circumstances, even the most desolate "wildernesses," and that His provision is not merely adequate but often abundant. The Israelites' question, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?", reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of God's omnipotence and a failure to internalize the lessons of His past interventions. This challenge to God's power is a grave sin, as it denies His very nature as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer. The psalm teaches that true faith trusts God's character and capability even when the path ahead is unclear or seemingly impossible, recognizing that His power transcends all human limitations and natural barriers.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Hebrews 3:7](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Israelites' question in Psalms 78:19 resonates deeply with the human condition, revealing our persistent tendency to doubt God's power and provision when faced with challenging circumstances. Even after experiencing God's faithfulness in our past, we can easily fall into the trap of limiting Him to our own understanding or current reality. This verse serves as a powerful mirror, prompting us to examine the areas of our lives where we might be subtly or overtly asking, "Can God really...?" It calls us to move beyond intellectual assent to God's omnipotence and to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in His character and boundless ability, even when our "wildernesses" seem barren and insurmountable. True faith is not the absence of questions, but the conviction that God is greater than any question we can pose, and that His table of provision is always available for those who trust Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life are you tempted to ask, "Can God really furnish a table in this wilderness?"**
* **What past acts of God's faithfulness can you recall to strengthen your trust in His future provision?**
* **How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude that resists the temptation to complain or doubt when faced with new challenges?**
* **In what ways might you be limiting God's power or willingness to act in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Was the Israelites' question in Psalms 78:19 a genuine inquiry or a sign of rebellion?**

Answer: The context of Psalms 78, particularly the repeated emphasis on Israel's "rebellion" and "testing" God, indicates that their question was not a genuine inquiry born of humble need but a rhetorical challenge stemming from deep-seated unbelief and defiance. They had already witnessed numerous miracles of provision, including the manna and water from the rock. Their question, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?", implied a doubt in God's omnipotence and a demand for a specific, luxurious type of provision, rather than a trusting acceptance of His divine care. This attitude is consistent with their repeated murmuring throughout the wilderness narrative, as seen in [Exodus 17:7](/exodus/17-7 "Exodus 17:7 - Meribah and Massah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:19, with its depiction of Israel's doubt concerning God's ability to "furnish a table in the wilderness," finds its ultimate fulfillment and contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Israelites questioned God's provision of physical bread in a barren land, Jesus Himself declared, "I am the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"); whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He not only miraculously fed thousands in a literal wilderness ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), demonstrating His divine power to "furnish a table" in any desolate place, but more profoundly, He offered Himself as the spiritual sustenance for eternal life. The wilderness generation craved physical bread and meat, but Jesus provides the true manna from heaven, offering spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest longings of the soul ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")). His life and sacrifice assure us that God is not only able but supremely willing to provide for our every need, both physical and spiritual, even in the most challenging "wildernesses" of our lives, demonstrating His ultimate faithfulness where Israel failed ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")). Through Christ, the "table" of God's grace and provision is always set, inviting all who believe to partake without doubt or question.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 21:5

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Numbers 11:4

¶ And the mixt multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Exodus 16:8

And Moses said, [This shall be], when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, but against the LORD.

Exodus 16:10

And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

Numbers 20:3

And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!