Psalms 78:41
Psalms 78:41 in Multiple Translations
Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
And they turned again and tempted God, And provoked the Holy One of Israel.
Again they put God to the test, and gave pain to the Holy One of Israel.
Again and again they provoked God, causing pain to the Holy One of Israel.
Yea, they returned, and tempted God, and limited the Holie one of Israel.
Yea, they turn back, and try God, And the Holy One of Israel have limited.
They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Many times they did evil things, to find out if they could do those things without God punishing them. They frequently caused the holy God of Israel to become disgusted/sad.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:41
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּשׁ֣וּבוּ
וַ/יְנַסּ֣וּ
אֵ֑ל
וּ/קְד֖וֹשׁ
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
הִתְווּ
וַ/יָּשׁ֣וּבוּ
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יְנַסּ֣וּ
nâçâh
H5254
to test
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֵ֑ל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
וּ/קְד֖וֹשׁ
qâdôwsh
H6918
holy
Conj | Adj
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
הִתְווּ
tâvâh
H8428
to wound
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:41
וַ/יָּשׁ֣וּבוּ
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
וַ/יְנַסּ֣וּ
nâçâh
H5254
"to test"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to test or try something, often to prove its worth or character. It is used in stories like Job, where God allows Satan to test Job's faith. The idea of testing is also seen in the wilderness, where the Israelites were tested by God.
Definition: : test 1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to test, try 1a2) to attempt, assay, try 1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try. See also: Genesis 22:1; Judges 6:39; Psalms 26:2.
אֵ֑ל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
וּ/קְד֖וֹשׁ
qâdôwsh
H6918
"holy"
Conj | Adj
Holy means set apart or sacred, used to describe God, angels, and saints. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things or people dedicated to God's service, like the Temple in Jerusalem or the prophets who spoke on God's behalf.
Definition: : holy sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: holy (One), saint. See also: Exodus 19:6; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 16:3.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הִתְווּ
tâvâh
H8428
"to wound"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
This word means to cause pain or wound someone, often emotionally. It appears in Psalm 56:5, where David feels hurt by his enemies. The Israelites used it to describe the pain of betrayal.
Definition: 1) (Hiphil) to pain, wound, trouble, cause pain 1a) meaning probable
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: limit (by confusion with H8427 (תָּוָה)). See also: Psalms 78:41.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:41
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:41 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:41
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:41
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:41
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:41
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
- Sermons on Psalms 78:41
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
39He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
40How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!
41Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42They did not remember His power — the day He redeemed them from the adversary, 43when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 3:8–11 | do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” |
| 2 | Numbers 14:22 | not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— |
| 3 | Acts 7:39 | But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 6:16 | Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah. |
| 5 | Psalms 78:19–20 | They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” |
| 6 | Numbers 14:4 | So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” |
| 7 | 2 Peter 2:21–22 | It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” |
| 8 | 2 Kings 19:22 | Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! |
| 9 | Psalms 89:18 | Surely our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel. |
| 10 | Mark 5:35–36 | While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” |
Psalms 78:41 Summary
[This verse tells us that the Israelites tested God again and again, which means they didn't trust Him and didn't obey His commands. This is like when we question God's goodness or wisdom, as seen in Psalms 13:1-2. We can learn from the Israelites' mistakes by trusting God and obeying His commands, as stated in John 14:15. By doing so, we can avoid provoking God's holiness and instead glorify Him in all we do, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to test God?
To test God means to challenge His power, wisdom, and goodness, often by questioning His instructions or promises, as seen in Psalms 78:41 and Deuteronomy 6:16. This can lead to a lack of faith and trust in His sovereignty.
How did the Israelites provoke the Holy One of Israel?
The Israelites provoked God by their disobedience and lack of trust, as mentioned in Psalms 78:40, and by not remembering His power and redemption, as stated in Psalms 78:42. This provoked God's holiness and righteousness, as seen in Isaiah 6:3.
What is the significance of the Holy One of Israel in this verse?
The Holy One of Israel is a title for God that emphasizes His unique holiness and separation from all other gods, as seen in Isaiah 1:4 and Leviticus 11:44-45. It reminds us of God's transcendent nature and our need to reverence and worship Him alone.
How can we avoid testing God like the Israelites did?
We can avoid testing God by trusting in His goodness and sovereignty, as stated in Romans 8:28, and by obeying His commands, as seen in John 14:15. We must also remember His power and redemption, as mentioned in Psalms 78:42, and seek to glorify Him in all we do, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have tested God in my own life, and how can I repent and trust Him more?
- How can I balance my desire for answers and understanding with the need to trust God's sovereignty and wisdom?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to remember God's power and redemption, and how can I apply that remembrance to my daily life?
- In what ways can I provoke God's holiness and righteousness in my own life, and how can I avoid those behaviors?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:41
Yea, they turned back, and tempted God,.... They talked of going back to Egypt, and of choosing a captain to lead them back thither, Numbers 14:3, and they turned back from the Lord, and from his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:41
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
They limited either, 1. God’ s power, as above, ,20. Or, 2. God’ s will, directing and prescribing to him what to do, and when, and in what manner, and murmuring at him if he did not always grant their particular and various desires.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
Psalms 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.Ver. 41. Yea, they turned back and tempted God] They did it afresh, and after some resolutions and short winded wishes of doing better. And limited the Holy One] Designarunt, they prescribed to him, and set him his bounds which he must not pass; as Popilius, the Roman ambassador, drew a circle round about King Antiochus, and bade him give answer ere he stirred out of it, for he would be put off no longer. Now, God is limited, when as either his power is questioned, as Psalms 78:20, or his will circumscribed, as if he were bound to serve man’ s lusts, or means appointed him whereby he must work, and not otherwise.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
(41) Limited.—A verb used in Ezekiel 9:4 for putting a mark on the forehead, which has been very variously explained. Some render branded or cast a stigma on—i.e., brought discredit on the Divine name. The LXX. and Vulg. have “exasperated,” and so some moderns “crossed,” “thwarted.” Grätz emends to “asked signs from,” but perhaps the ideas of marking something that has been tried, and that of trying or tempting are sufficiently near to allow us to render tempted.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
Verse 41. Limited the Holy One of Israel.] The Chaldee translates, "And the Holy One of Israel they signed with a sign." The Hebrew word התוו hithvu is supposed to come from the root תוה tavah, which signifies to mark; and hence the letter ת tau, which in the ancient Hebrew character had the form of a cross X, had its name probably because it was used as a mark. Mr. Bate observes that in hithpael it signifies to challenge or accuse; as one who gives his mark or pledge upon a trial, and causes his adversary to do the same. Here it most obviously means an insult offered to God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:41
41. And they turned again and tempted God, And provoked the Holy One of Israel. limited (A.V.) would mean “entertained mean and circumscribed notions of His power and goodness and faithfulness” (Kay), or ‘hindered His action by their unbelief’ (Matthew 13:58). But more probably the word means provoked (LXX, Syr., Jer.). the Holy One of Israel] A title characteristic of the Book of Isaiah, and found in the Psalter only here and in Psalms 71:22, Psalms 89:18. It denotes that it was in His character of a Holy God that Jehovah had become the God of Israel. Though the title is not used in the Pentateuch, the thought is expressed there. In the chastisements of His people Jehovah proved Himself to be a Holy God, Who could not tolerate sin; and it was because Moses and Aaron failed to acknowledge that holiness, that they were punished by exclusion from Canaan (Numbers 20:12-13).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:41
Yea, they turned back, and tempted God - They turned away from his service; they were disposed to return to Egypt, and to place themselves in the condition in which they were before they were delivered from bondage.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:41
41. Limited—See on Psalms 78:18-19. They either questioned God’s power, or prescribed to him what to do and what not to do.
Sermons on Psalms 78:41
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Feeding and Leading by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a person of integrity and using one's unique gifts and message in preaching. He encourages preachers to not be imitat |
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Unbelief by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faith and belief in God. He criticizes the dangerous teaching that focuses on material wealth and encourages believers to |
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Is the Lord Limited? by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the danger of limiting the work of God in our lives through unbelief, restrictions, and attempts to control or manipulate God's message. It highlights the im |
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How God Provided for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses how God provided for the children of Israel during their time in the wilderness. He focuses on the story of Moses striking the rock to |
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Unbelief: Its Cause and Cure - Matthew 13:53-58 by Jon Courson | Jon Courson preaches about the dangers of unbelief, using the example of Jesus being limited in performing miracles in Nazareth due to the people's lack of faith. Unbelief blinds o |
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Psalms 78:41 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the theme of 'Limiting God' in his sermon based on Psalms 78:41, emphasizing how sin, unbelief, and cowardice can restrict God's power and presence in our live |
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Spiritual Enlargement Unto the Maintaining of the Testimony of Jesus by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the theme of spiritual enlargement through the biblical account of Elisha succeeding Elijah, highlighting the importance of being filled with the Holy S |