Psalms 78:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people tested God's patience by demanding meat to satisfy their cravings.
The Context of Psalms 78:18
The people tempted God by demandingly asking for meat to satisfy their craving for more food.
What Does Psalms 78:18 Mean?
Tempting God 'in their heart' suggests that their demand for meat came from inward lust—desire that had become demanding and impatient. They had manna (provided from heaven), but hunger for variety and abundance drove them to challenge God's provision. 'Testing' God means implicitly questioning whether he can or will meet their wants.
This reveals the spiritual reality beneath their complaint: it is not genuine need but unbridled desire, and with it comes doubt about God's ability or willingness to provide. The psalmist identifies this as temptation—putting God's faithfulness on trial through impatience and ingratitude.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 78:18
What does Psalms 78:18 mean?
The people tested God's patience by demanding meat to satisfy their cravings.
What is the context of Psalms 78:18?
The people tempted God by demandingly asking for meat to satisfy their craving for more food.