Psalms 78:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Despite these miracles, the people provoked God through additional sin while in the wilderness.
The Context of Psalms 78:17
Despite miraculous provisions, the people provoked God through sin while in the wilderness.
What Does Psalms 78:17 Mean?
The word 'yet' introduces a sharp turn. Despite witnessing miracle after miracle—the sea parted, water from rock, a guiding cloud—the people 'sinned yet more.' 'Provoking the most High' suggests they deliberately acted in ways they knew would anger God, showing willfulness rather than ignorance.
This is the beginning of the pattern the psalmist warned about in verse 8: stubborn rebellion even in the face of God's care. The wilderness, which should have been a school of faith through which they learned God's faithfulness, became instead a place where they tested God's patience and rejected his authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 78:17
What does Psalms 78:17 mean?
Despite these miracles, the people provoked God through additional sin while in the wilderness.
What is the context of Psalms 78:17?
Despite miraculous provisions, the people provoked God through sin while in the wilderness.