Psalms 78:32 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:32 mean?

Psalms 78:32 says that the people of Israel continued to do wrong and did not believe God, even after seeing his extraordinary deeds. The verse presents their response as especially striking because they had experienced those deeds firsthand.

The psalm’s speaker is recounting Israel’s past to those listening. “For all this” looks back to the suffering described just before the verse. The words “sinned still” show that the suffering had not ended the people’s wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:32

• “believed” — אָמַן (aman): This word can carry the sense of trusting or relying on someone. In this verse, the concern is the people’s lack of trust in God despite what they had seen him do.
• “works” — פָּלָא (pala): This word can describe things that are extraordinary or cause wonder. Together with “wondrous,” it points to deeds that would stand out to those who witnessed them.

Why Psalms 78:32 matters

• The verse places suffering and wonders side by side. “For all this” follows a description of suffering, while “his wondrous works” recalls the remarkable deeds God had done among the people.
• The people’s later words are part of the story too. Verses 34–36 describe them seeking God after more suffering, but also say that their words to him were not truthful.