Psalms 78:17-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And they sinned yet more Hebrew, ויוסיפו עוד לחשׂאלו, They added yet to sin against him. All these miraculous works did not alter their depraved nature; but it broke out into new and greater provocations; in the wilderness In that very place where they were under such strong and singular obligations to obedience, both for the great things which God had then and there done for them, and from their dependance upon his favour and help for their safety and subsistence; where, indeed, without his singular providence, they had all perished. This was certainly a great aggravation of their sin and folly. And they tempted God Desired a new trial and proof of his power, as the next verse shows. See Numbers 11:4. By asking meat for their lust Not for their necessary subsistence, for which they had in manna, but out of an inordinate and luxurious appetite. Yea, they spake against God, &c. At last they openly declared and manifested that distrust of his power which was in their hearts, saying, Can God furnish a table? Is he able to provide, not only bare support and sustenance, but variety of nourishing and pleasant food, here in this barren wilderness? Behold, he smote the rock, &c. It is true he hath brought water out of a rock for us in abundance; but can he give bread also? Not such light food as this manna is, but more substantial bread, here where no corn grows? Can he provide flesh for his people? Can he make an ample provision for all this multitude of such flesh as this place does not afford? They should have said, Lord, if thou wilt thou canst. For is any thing too hard for Omnipotence? When once the ordinary powers of nature are exceeded, and God has made bare his arm, and put forth his almighty power, we must conclude nothing is impossible with him.