Psalms 78:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people acknowledge God's miracles of water but sarcastically question whether he can also provide bread and meat.
The Context of Psalms 78:20
The people sarcastically acknowledge God's water miracle while demanding he prove himself again with food.
What Does Psalms 78:20 Mean?
This verse shows the people's twisted logic. They recall that God smote the rock and made water gush out—an undeniable miracle they witnessed. Yet they use this memory not to build faith but to frame a sarcastic challenge: if he can do that, why can't he give us bread and meat?
The sarcasm reveals ingratitude masquerading as practical reasoning. They have seen God's power demonstrated but use it as a springboard for demanding more. The rapid-fire questions ('can he give...can he provide') suggest impatience and contempt, turning God's past faithfulness into evidence against him rather than grounds for trust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 78:20
What does Psalms 78:20 mean?
The people acknowledge God's miracles of water but sarcastically question whether he can also provide bread and meat.
What is the context of Psalms 78:20?
The people sarcastically acknowledge God's water miracle while demanding he prove himself again with food.