9 The children of Ephraim, armed with bows, were turned back on the day of the fight. 10 They were not ruled by God's word, and they would not go in the way of his law; 11 They let his works go out of their memory, and the wonders which he had made them see. 12 He did great works before the eyes of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. 13 The sea was cut in two so that they might go through; the waters were massed together on this side and on that. 14 In the daytime he was guiding them in the cloud, and all through the night with a light of fire. 15 The rocks of the waste land were broken by his power, and he gave them drink as out of the deep waters. 16 He made streams come out of the rock; and waters came flowing down like rivers. 17 And they went on sinning against him even more, turning away from the Most High in the waste land; 18 Testing God in their hearts, requesting meat for their desire. 19 They said bitter words against God, saying, Is God able to make ready a table in the waste land? 20 See, the rock was cut open by his power, so that the water came rushing out, and overflowing streams; is he able to give us bread? is he able to get meat for his people? 21 So these things came to the Lord's ears, and he was angry; and a fire was lighted against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel; 22 Because they had no faith in God, and no hope in his salvation. 23 And he gave orders to the clouds on high, and the doors of heaven were open; 24 And he sent down manna like rain for their food, and gave them the grain of heaven. 25 Man took part in the food of strong ones; he sent them meat in full measure. 26 He sent an east wind from heaven, driving on the south wind by his power. 27 He sent down meat on them like dust, and feathered birds like the sand of the sea, 28 And he let it come down into their resting-place, round about their tents. 29 So they had food and were full; for he gave them their desire; 30 But they were not turned from their desires; and while the food was still in their mouths, 31 The wrath of God came on them, and put to death the fattest of them, and put an end to the young men of Israel. 32 For all this they went on sinning even more, and had no faith in his great wonders. 33 So their days were wasted like a breath, and their years in trouble. 34 When he sent death on them, then they made search for him; turning to him and looking for him with care; 35 In the memory that God was their Rock, and the Most High God their saviour. 36 But their lips were false to him, and their tongues were untrue to him; 37 And their hearts were not right with him, and they did not keep their agreement with him. 38 But he, being full of pity, has forgiveness for sin, and does not put an end to man: frequently turning back his wrath, and not being violently angry. 39 So he kept in mind that they were only flesh; a breath which is quickly gone, and will not come again.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:9-39
Commentary on Psalm 78:9-39
(Read Psalm 78:9-39)
Sin dispirits men, and takes away the heart. Forgetfulness of God's works is the cause of disobedience to his laws. This narrative relates a struggle between God's goodness and man's badness. The Lord hears all our murmurings and distrusts, and is much displeased. Those that will not believe the power of God's mercy, shall feel the fire of his indignation. Those cannot be said to trust in God's salvation as their happiness at last, who can not trust his providence in the way to it. To all that by faith and prayer, ask, seek, and knock, these doors of heaven shall at any time be opened; and our distrust of God is a great aggravation of our sins. He expressed his resentment of their provocation; not in denying what they sinfully lusted after, but in granting it to them. Lust is contented with nothing. Those that indulge their lust, will never be estranged from it. Those hearts are hard indeed, that will neither be melted by the mercies of the Lord, nor broken by his judgments. Those that sin still, must expect to be in trouble still. And the reason why we live with so little comfort, and to so little purpose, is, because we do not live by faith. Under these rebukes they professed repentance, but they were not sincere, for they were not constant. In Israel's history we have a picture of our own hearts and lives. God's patience, and warnings, and mercies, imbolden them to harden their hearts against his word. And the history of kingdoms is much the same. Judgments and mercies have been little attended to, until the measure of their sins has been full. And higher advantages have not kept churches from declining from the commandments of God. Even true believers recollect, that for many a year they abused the kindness of Providence. When they come to heaven, how will they admire the Lord's patience and mercy in bringing them to his kingdom!