Psalms 78:20 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:20 mean?

Psalms 78:20 recalls how God provided water for the Israelites by striking a rock, then questions whether God can also give them bread and meat. The verse highlights the people's doubt about God's ability to meet all their needs, even after witnessing a miracle.

The psalm is spoken by the writer Asaph, reflecting on Israel’s history in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The people saw God bring water from a rock, but they still questioned if He could provide food. This verse captures their skepticism and forgetfulness, showing how quickly they doubted God’s care despite clear signs of His power.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:20

• "smote" (נָכָה, nakhah) means to strike or hit forcefully. This word emphasizes the dramatic action Moses took at God's command to bring water from the rock, which was a memorable miracle for the Israelites.
• "rock" (צּוּר, tsur) refers to a large, solid rock or cliff. In the wilderness story, the rock is not just any stone but a symbol of an impossible source of water, making the miracle even more striking.
• "provide" (כּוּן, kun) carries the sense of preparing or arranging something securely. The people are not just asking if God can give food, but if He can reliably set it up for them, showing a deeper level of doubt about God’s ongoing care.

Why Psalms 78:20 matters

• Psalms 78:20 helps clarify that the Israelites’ problem was not just physical need but a lack of trust, even after experiencing God’s help firsthand.
• The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalm 78, which is about remembering God’s faithfulness and warning against repeating the mistakes of past generations.
• By focusing on both water and food, the verse shows how people can quickly forget past blessings and demand new signs, a pattern that appears throughout the Bible.