The sins in the desert (Ps 78:17-78:22)

“Yet they sinned still more against him.

They rebelled against the Most High.

In the desert,

They tested God in their heart.

They demanded the food they craved.

They spoke against God.

They said.

‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

Even though he had struck the rock

So that water gushed out,

The streams overflowed.

Can he also give bread?

Can he provide meat for his people?

Therefore, when Yahweh heard this,

He was full of rage.

A fire was kindled against Jacob.

His anger mounted against Israel.

They had no faith in God.

They did not trust his saving power.”

This complaint is based on Exodus, chapter 16. The Israelites rebelled against God in the desert. They wanted to test God. They demanded their food. They complained that things were better in Egypt. How was God going to provide food for them in the desert wilderness? They already had water from rocks, but that was not good enough. They also wanted bread and meat. This got Yahweh angry and mad at Jacob that is Israel. They had no faith in God and were not trusting in his saving power.

Universal praise of God (Ps 67:2-67:4)

“May your way be known upon the earth.

May your saving power be known among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you!

O God!

Let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad!

Let them sing for joy!

You judge the peoples with equity.

You guide the nations upon earth.”

Selah

This is a universal call to praise God. His ways should be known upon the whole earth among all nations. His saving power is present. Then there is the refrain twice “Let the peoples praise you.”   The second one has the emphatic universal “all” the peoples. The nations should be glad so that they can sing with joy. God is a fair judge as he guides all the nations on earth. Once again, this section ends with the musical interlude meditative pause, the Selah.