Psalm 78 22

Psalm 78:22 kjv

Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

Psalm 78:22 nkjv

Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation.

Psalm 78:22 niv

for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

Psalm 78:22 esv

because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

Psalm 78:22 nlt

for they did not believe God
or trust him to care for them.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 22 Meaning

Psalm 78:22 reveals that the primary reason for God's displeasing actions toward the Israelites was their profound spiritual failure: they neither believed in God's nature and power nor actively relied upon His ability to provide deliverance. This verse posits that human unbelief and a lack of trust in God's redemptive power fundamentally inform and influence God's responses to His people.

Psalm 78 22 Context

Psalm 78 is a historical Maskil (a didactic poem meant for instruction) by Asaph, tracing Israel's history from the Exodus to David's reign. It serves as a pedagogical account, designed to instruct later generations not to replicate their ancestors' disobedience and unbelief (vv. 6-8). The psalm vividly recounts God's miraculous provisions during the wilderness wanderings—such as the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna, and water from the rock—juxtaposing these divine acts with Israel's persistent grumbling, rebellion, and testing of God. Verse 22 functions as a critical interpretive lens, explaining that Israel's dissatisfaction with God's miraculous sustenance (vv. 17-20) stemmed not from genuine need alone, but from a deeper, fundamental failure of faith and reliance on their Almighty God. Their complaints were symptomatic of an inherent doubt in God's power and willingness to ultimately deliver and care for them.

Psalm 78 22 Word analysis

• Because they believed not: Hebrew: לֹא הֶאֱמִינוּ (lo he'eminu). The root verb, אָמַן (aman), means to be firm, stable, trustworthy. In its Hiphil form used here, it means "to believe," denoting a firm, unwavering assent and deep conviction. It signifies a failure of their fundamental spiritual disposition towards God, a profound absence of faith and allegiance despite His manifest power and covenant loyalty.
• in God: Hebrew: בֵּאלֹהִים (be'elohim). "Elohim" is a plural noun commonly used as a singular for the one true God, signifying His supreme power, authority, and divine nature. The prepositions "be" (בְּ) implies "in" or "concerning." Their disbelief was specifically directed at the Lord, the majestic Creator and Deliverer, indicating a rejection of His very identity and attributes.
• and trusted not: Hebrew: וְלֹא בָטְחוּ (ve'lo bat'khu). The root, בָּטַח (batach), means to trust, to rely upon, to feel secure, or to be confident. While closely related to "aman," "batach" often highlights the act of placing confidence and finding security in someone or something. This points to their inability to securely rest in God’s provision and protection, constantly harboring fear and doubt, even amidst demonstrations of His unfailing care.
• in his salvation: Hebrew: בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ (biyshu'ato). "Yeshua" (יְשׁוּעָה) means "salvation," "deliverance," "help," or "victory." It encompasses both physical deliverance (e.g., from enemies, hunger, thirst) and spiritual redemption. Their failure to trust in God's "salvation" indicates a distrust not just in His ability to provide for a single moment, but in His overall saving plan and His continuous power to bring them to their ultimate well-being and promised inheritance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "believed not in God, and trusted not": This pairing reveals the comprehensive nature of their spiritual deficiency. "Believed not in God" highlights their intellectual and spiritual skepticism concerning God's identity and capabilities. "Trusted not" adds the dimension of a practical failure to lean upon, depend on, and find security in Him. These two parallel expressions demonstrate a deep-seated inner alienation from God, not merely isolated acts of disobedience, but a foundational absence of genuine faith and reliant trust.
• "in God... in His salvation": These phrases underscore the specific objects of their disbelief and distrust. Their sin was a direct affront to God Himself, encompassing His nature, character, and sovereign power. Furthermore, they rejected "His salvation"—His specific acts of deliverance and His comprehensive plan for their well-being. This suggests a failure to perceive or appreciate the full scope of God's redemptive work, doubting not only His immediate provisions but His ultimate ability and willingness to bring them safely to their destined hope.

Psalm 78 22 Bonus section

This verse highlights the deep interdependence of "emunah" (belief, faithfulness) and "bitachon" (trust, confident reliance) in biblical thought. Emunah relates to a firm conviction in God's character and truth, while bitachon is the practical expression of that conviction—resting securely in God’s care. The Israelites faltered on both accounts, indicating a spiritual state characterized by doubt and insecurity rather than confident faith. Their challenging of God’s ability to provide (Ps 78:19) directly demonstrates their profound lack of trust. The Psalm thereby establishes a stark theological truth: that spiritual privilege and miraculous experience alone do not produce genuine faith without a corresponding heartfelt choice to believe and trust in God's promises and ultimate salvation. This is foundational to understanding the New Testament's admonitions in Hebrews 3 and 4 regarding the consequences of Israel's unbelief as a warning for all who are called to enter God's rest through faith.

Psalm 78 22 Commentary

Psalm 78:22 precisely identifies the root sin of the Israelite wilderness generation: profound unbelief and a pervasive lack of trust in God's capacity and desire to save. Despite witnessing extraordinary miracles—such as the Red Sea's parting, manna from heaven, and water from a rock—their hearts remained skeptical. Their complaints about food and water were not merely expressions of physical need, but revelations of a deep-seated spiritual sickness; they fundamentally questioned God's power, goodness, and commitment to their ultimate well-being. This verse stresses that true faith transcends intellectual acknowledgement; it involves active reliance and confident resting in God's complete provision and ultimate deliverance. Their historical failure serves as a solemn lesson, demonstrating that a lack of unwavering trust in God, despite all evidence of His wondrous works, incurs divine displeasure and obstructs the experience of His full blessing and promised rest.