Psalm 78:14 kjv
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
Psalm 78:14 nkjv
In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, And all the night with a light of fire.
Psalm 78:14 niv
He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.
Psalm 78:14 esv
In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.
Psalm 78:14 nlt
In the daytime he led them by a cloud,
and all night by a pillar of fire.
Psalm 78 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 13:21 | And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud... and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light... | God's visible guidance, pillar of cloud/fire |
| Exod 40:38 | For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel... | Continuous divine presence |
| Num 9:15-16 | On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle... At evening till morning, there was fire... | Persistent divine leading by day and night |
| Num 10:34 | The cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they set out from the camp. | The cloud indicating movement for the people |
| Deut 1:33 | Who went before you in the way, to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in a cloud by day... | God's leading and preparation for His people |
| Neh 9:12 | Moreover, you led them by day with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire... | Remembering God's faithfulness in the wilderness |
| Ps 105:39 | He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. | God's provision of shade and light |
| Isa 4:5 | ...over the whole area of Mount Zion...a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night... | Future divine protection and presence over Zion |
| Ps 23:3 | He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. | God's continued personal guidance |
| Prov 3:6 | In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Seeking God's guidance for direction |
| Jn 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness..." | Christ as the ultimate light and guide |
| Ps 77:20 | You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. | God's pastoral leadership and care |
| Rom 8:14 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Spiritual guidance in the New Covenant |
| Ps 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. | God's commitment to guiding His children |
| Isa 58:11 | And the LORD will guide you continually... | Promise of ongoing divine guidance |
| Exod 14:19-20 | The pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them... between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel... | God's protective barrier and presence |
| Deut 8:2 | And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you... | Remembering God's leadership through trials |
| Zech 2:5 | For I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst. | God as protector and glory, echoing fire presence |
| 1 Cor 10:1-2 | For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea... | New Testament reflection on Israel's guidance |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my stronghold..." | God's comprehensive protection and presence |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 14 Meaning
Psalm 78:14 describes how God guided the Israelites during their wilderness journey: He led them with a pillar of cloud during the day to direct their path and provide shade, and with a pillar of fire by night to give light and warmth. This verse highlights God's constant, visible, and comprehensive presence, guidance, and protection for His people. It demonstrates His active involvement in their lives, assuring their way forward through changing circumstances.
Psalm 78 14 Context
Psalm 78 is an Asaphite psalm, identified as a massehil (a maskil, often meaning an instructive psalm or a psalm teaching wisdom). It is a lengthy historical psalm recounting God's mighty acts for Israel and Israel's recurring rebellion and faithlessness. The psalm begins by calling the people to listen to a parable and ancient truths (Ps 78:1-3). Verses 9-11 lament Ephraim's failure, and then from verse 12 onwards, the psalm recalls the Exodus from Egypt and the wilderness wanderings, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst the people's stubbornness and testing of Him. Psalm 78:14 specifically describes a foundational aspect of God's miraculous provision and presence during this formative period in Israel's history, showcasing His constant leadership, shelter, and comfort in challenging terrain and circumstances. It serves as an example of God's benevolence despite Israel's subsequent backsliding, setting the stage for the rest of the psalm's recounting of their failures.
Psalm 78 14 Word analysis
He (וַיַּנְחֵם - vayyanḥem): The pronoun refers to God, the Lord (Yahweh), as established earlier in the psalm (e.g., Ps 78:12, 'the Lord'). The verb 'He led them' (nāḥāh) means to guide, conduct, bring, or cause to rest. It implies gentle, careful, and purposeful direction, rather than simply going ahead. This verb is often used of divine guidance, indicating God's active, personal, and intentional involvement in directing His people's journey.
led them (וַיַּנְחֵם - vayyanḥem): The suffix 'them' refers to the Israelites, specifically the generation that came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. God's leadership was direct and evident to the entire congregation.
with a cloud (בֶעָנָן - be‘ānān): Hebrew: עָנָן (‘ānān) refers to a dense cloud or storm cloud. In this context, it specifically refers to the miraculous 'Pillar of Cloud' that visually manifested God's presence and guidance (Exod 13:21). This cloud was not merely a meteorological phenomenon but a tangible symbol of the Divine Presence (Shekinah Glory), offering shade from the intense desert sun and marking the pathway for the journey.
by day (יוֹמָם - yomam): Emphasizes the daytime period, highlighting God's continuous guidance. The visible cloud during the day distinguished Yahweh's constant care from the temporary or hidden gods of other nations.
and all night (וְכָל־הַלַּיְלָה - vechol-hallailah): Literally "and all the night," stressing the entire duration of the night. This contrasts with "by day" and underlines the ceaseless nature of God's attention and provision, regardless of time or changing conditions.
with a fiery light (בְּאוֹר אֵשׁ - be’ôr ‘ēsh): Hebrew: אוֹר (‘ōr) means light, and אֵשׁ (‘ēsh) means fire. This refers to the 'Pillar of Fire' that accompanied the cloud (Exod 13:21). The fiery light provided illumination in the darkness of the wilderness, making travel possible at night and offering a visible source of comfort and warmth against the cold desert nights. It also symbolized God's holy presence and protective power, deterring enemies.
He led them with a cloud by day and all night with a fiery light: This phrase captures the holistic and unending nature of God's divine guidance and protection. The pillars were a dual manifestation tailored to specific needs—shade/guidance by day and light/guidance by night. This demonstrated God's omniscient foresight and comprehensive care for every aspect of their existence in a hostile environment. It served as a constant reminder of God's active involvement, assuring His people that they were never alone or lost. This miraculous provision was a testament to Yahweh's unique identity as the covenant-keeping God, far superior to the idols of surrounding nations, which were lifeless and powerless.
Psalm 78 14 Bonus section
The imagery of the pillar of cloud and fire is often seen as a prefigurement of the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence in the lives of believers in the New Covenant. Just as the physical pillars visibly led Israel, the Holy Spirit inwardly guides and illumines believers, making the path of righteousness clear (Rom 8:14). This persistent divine presence also reflects God's patient pedagogy. He knew the Israelites were a stiff-necked people, and thus, He provided a constant, unmistakable sign of His leadership, constantly inviting their trust despite their wavering faith. The two aspects—cloud for shade/direction and fire for light/direction—also illustrate God's multifaceted providence, meeting distinct needs seamlessly. The poles for light also provided assurance of security for encampments.
Psalm 78 14 Commentary
Psalm 78:14 distills the profound reality of God's unceasing, tangible presence and leading during Israel's formative wilderness experience. The pillars of cloud and fire were not mere occasional interventions but persistent, visible expressions of God's intimate relationship with His people. The cloud offered direction and shelter from the harsh desert sun by day, symbolizing His protective covering. The fire provided light and warmth during the night, illuminating their path and assuring His presence through the darkest hours. This constant manifestation taught Israel dependence, trust, and obedience, emphasizing that their journey was not random but meticulously guided by their sovereign God. It serves as a timeless theological truth that God does not abandon His people but provides the specific guidance, comfort, and protection needed for every step of their journey, even through seemingly desolate periods. It underscores His comprehensive care, addressing both practical and spiritual needs, demonstrating that true security and direction come only from Him.