Psalm 78 26

Psalm 78:26 kjv

He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

Psalm 78:26 nkjv

He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; And by His power He brought in the south wind.

Psalm 78:26 niv

He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow.

Psalm 78:26 esv

He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;

Psalm 78:26 nlt

He released the east wind in the heavens
and guided the south wind by his mighty power.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 26 Meaning

Psalm 78:26 describes God's direct and sovereign action in providing for the Israelites in the wilderness. It specifically states that He commanded and moved an east wind to blow, and then by His inherent, mighty power, He brought in a south wind. This divine control over natural forces facilitated the miraculous provision of quail, meeting the physical needs of His people who had expressed desire for meat. The verse highlights God's omnipotence and meticulous care, even when dealing with a rebellious nation.

Psalm 78 26 Context

Psalm 78 is a maskil (a contemplative or instructional psalm) of Asaph, serving as a historical psalm that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel despite their repeated rebellion and disobedience. It chronicles Israel's journey from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, their settlement in Canaan, and the time of the judges and kings, ultimately establishing David. Verse 26 falls within the section detailing the wilderness journey, specifically after Israel's initial complaints for food despite the manna provision. It is a part of the narrative explaining how God miraculously provided quail after their cravings for meat, illustrating God's patience, power, and desire to meet His people's needs even when their requests stemmed from unbelief and desire for the familiar rather than faith. The psalm uses this historical account to teach future generations about God's character and the consequences of rebellion, urging them to trust and obey Him. This event not only demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over creation but implicitly contrasted Him with the limited storm deities and fertility gods of surrounding pagan cultures (like Baal), firmly establishing YHWH as the one true controller of all natural phenomena.

Psalm 78 26 Word analysis

• He caused (יַסַּע - yassaa', from נוּעַ nua', meaning to cause to move, to drive, to journey): This Hebrew verb indicates direct, intentional action on God's part. It is not an accidental event but a deliberate divine orchestration, signifying God's active involvement and control over natural processes. It emphasizes His agency and power.
• an east wind (קָדִים - qadīm): The east wind is specifically mentioned. In the ancient Near East, the qadīm was often associated with dry, hot, or strong winds that could bring dramatic change, sometimes judgment (e.g., parting the Red Sea, destroying Jonah's plant), but here it is explicitly an instrument of provision. Its distinct geographical origin (from the desert to the east) shows the precision of God's command.
• to blow in the heavens: This phrase emphasizes the scope of God's command. It suggests not merely localized gusts, but a wind controlled from above, demonstrating that God governs atmospheric forces directly from His exalted position. It highlights His supreme dominion over all of creation.
• and by His power (בְּעֻזּוֹ - bəʿuzzō, from עֹז ʿoz, meaning strength, might, power, efficacy): This signifies that the subsequent action is empowered by God's inherent and unsurpassed might. It reiterates that the act is not a result of natural coincidence but of His active, divine omnipotence. 'Oz implies robust, enduring strength.
• He brought in (וַיְנַהֵג - vay'nahaeg, from נָהַג nahag, meaning to lead, to drive, to guide): This verb indicates God's purposeful direction and guidance of the wind. It implies not just causing it to blow, but specifically directing its movement and its cargo (the quail) towards the desired destination.
• the south wind (תֵימָן - teymān): This refers to the wind from the south, specifically from the Arabian Peninsula or wilderness, known to carry large flocks of migratory birds like quail. The specific mention of both east and south winds underscores the precise and complex manner in which God manipulated the atmospheric conditions. It points to a meticulous divine coordination of multiple elements.
• words-group: "He caused an east wind to blow" vs. "He brought in the south wind": The subtle shift in verb usage (from general 'caused to move/blow' to specific 'brought in/led') suggests a two-stage or precisely orchestrated wind event. The east wind perhaps set up general conditions or was the primary driver, while the south wind was specifically directed to gather and deliver the quail. The use of two distinct directional winds highlights the divine strategic precision; not one general wind, but tailored air currents to achieve the exact outcome needed. This detail demonstrates God's perfect control, ensuring the quail were driven from the sea and settled effectively around the Israelite camp.

Psalm 78 26 Bonus section

The specific mention of both the east wind and the south wind in sequence is meteorologically significant. East winds, typically stronger and coming from the desert, might have provided the initial "push" or atmospheric shift. South winds, particularly those originating from across the Red Sea and Arabian peninsula, were known routes for migratory quail during certain seasons. This specific dual-wind detail suggests not merely a general miraculous intervention but a divine orchestration that aligned with (and commanded) specific meteorological patterns and bird migratory routes to achieve the desired result, emphasizing the precise and intentional nature of God's providence. It demonstrates that God's miracles are not always a suspension of natural laws but often a precise deployment and manipulation of them to accomplish His purposes. This precision is often lost when we simply refer to "a wind." The account implicitly debunks the idea of random chance or the power of lesser gods, firmly asserting YHWH's absolute control over every aspect of the cosmos.

Psalm 78 26 Commentary

Psalm 78:26 serves as a powerful reminder of God's active sovereignty over His creation and His attentive providence for His people. Despite Israel's constant murmuring and distrust, seen throughout the historical account in this Psalm, God, in His steadfast love, meticulously controlled the very elements to provide for their material needs. This verse specifically highlights the miracle of the quail, which required not just a general wind but precise atmospheric conditions involving both an "east wind" and a "south wind" — a sophisticated, multi-directional orchestration that points unequivocally to intelligent divine design and execution, not random chance. It teaches that God is not only the Creator but also the sustainer and provider, whose power extends to the very "heavens" and the minutest details of meteorological phenomena, ensuring His will is accomplished and His people are sustained, even in the wilderness. It illustrates that God's power is always accompanied by purpose and directed by His character, showcasing both His might and His patience with His stubborn chosen nation.