Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:30
They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat [was] yet in their mouths,
30. They were not estranged from their lust,
Their food was yet in their mouth,
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They were not estranged from their lust – literally, They were not made strangers to; that is, in regard to their lusts or desires they were not in the condition of foreigners or aliens; they were not separated from them. The word lusts here means desires, wishes. It is not used here in the restricted sense in which it is now with us. The reference is to their desire for food different from manna – for flesh; and the idea is, that they did not restrain their intense desire even when it should have been fully satisfied. They indulged to excess, and the consequence was that many of them perished.
But while their meat was yet in their mouths – Even while they were eating, and were indulging in this unrestrained manner.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 78:30-31
They were not estranged from their lust.
Dissatisfaction with plenty
God gave them plenty, and they ate and were filled. He gave them what they sought, flesh; feathered birds came in abundance. Notwithstanding, they were not satisfied, were not estranged from their lust; they had still a craving for something more. Here is dissatisfaction with plenty.
I. This is a very prevalent experience. Men in plenty are everywhere in dissatisfaction. Where there is
(1) Plenty of food,
(2) Plenty of money,
(3) Plenty of books,
(4) Plenty of popularity,
(5) Plenty of amusements, men cry everywhere, Who will show us any good?
II. This is a very suggestive experience. It implies–
1. Something bad that is existing. Conflicting passions, compunctive consciences, moral forebodings within, prevent the possibility of satisfaction.
2. Something good that is lacking. What is the deep hunger of the soul? God. (Homilist.)
But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them.
Kibroth Hattaavah
Fleshly lust not only wars against but kills men.
I. Slays physically. An inordinate gratification of animal appetites saps the constitution and brings the body to a premature grave.
II. Slays intellectually. It slays the elasticity, the freedom, the vigour of the intellect. How often, in the case of the gourmand and the voluptuary, does the brain run into fat, and the whole intellect into greasy mud.
III. Slays morally. It slays–
1. Purity of love.
2. Tenderness of conscience.
3. Force of moral purpose. (Homilist.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The sense is either,
1. Whilst their greedy appetite yet continued, and was not fully satisfied, before, they began to loathe it, as they did afterwards, Num 11:20. Or,
2. Before they were deprived or destitute of their desired food, whim they enjoyed it, and were still feeding upon it, as the next clause explains this. Gods patience did not wait upon them till that food was spent, but fell upon them instantly.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
30, 31. not estranged . . . lustor,”desire”that is, were indulging it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They were not estranged from their lust,…. By the goodness and liberality of God unto them, they were not brought to repentance for their sin of lusting; nor did they abstain from their fleshly lusts, or deny themselves of them, which the grace of God teaches to do; or else the sense is, what they lusted after, flesh, was not withheld from them, or they restrained from eating it; they were indulged with it for a whole month together; to which agrees what follows:
but while their meat was yet in their mouths; the meat of the quails, while it was between their teeth, ere it was chewed, and before it was swallowed down, while they were rolling this sweet morsel under their tongues, and were gorging themselves with it, destruction came upon them, as follows; just as Belshazzar, while he was feasting with his nobles, in the midst of his mirth and jollity, was slain by the Persians, Da 5:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Psalmist expresses this still more clearly, by adding immediately after, (verses 30, 31,) that this pampering proved fatal to them, as if with the meat they had swallowed the flame of the divine wrath. When he says that they were not estranged from their lust, this implies, that they were still burning with their lust. If it is objected that this does not agree with the preceding sentence, where it is said, that “they did eat, and were thoroughly filled,” I would answer, that if, as is well known, the minds of men are not kept within the bounds of reason and temperance, they become insatiable; and, therefore, a great abundance will not extinguish the fire of a depraved appetite. Some translate the clause, They were not disappointed, and others, They did not yet loathe their meat. This last translation brings out the meaning very well; but it is too far removed from the signification of the Hebrew word זור, zur, which I have rendered estranged. The prophet intended to express in two words a present felt pleasure; for when God executed vengeance upon the people, they still indulged in the excessive gratification of the palate. (335) The wrath of God is said metaphorically to ascend, when he suddenly rises up to execute judgment; for when he apparently shuts his eyes and takes no notice of our sins, he seems, so to speak, to be asleep. The punishment was felt by persons of every condition among the Israelites; but the fat ones (336) and the chosen are expressly named, in order to exhibit the judgment of God in a light still more conspicuous. It did not happen by chance that the most robust and vigorous were attacked and cut off by the plague. As the strong are commonly deceived by their strength, and proudly exalt themselves against God, forgetting their own weakness, and thinking that they may do whatever they please, it is not surprising to find that the wrath of God burned more fiercely against such persons than against others.
(335) “ While their meat was yet in their mouth; the meat of the quails, while it was between their teeth, ere it was chewed, and before it was swallowed down, while they were rolling this sweet morsel under their tongues, and were gorging themselves with it, destruction came upon them; just as Belshazzar, while he was feasting with his nobles, in the midst of his mirth and jollity, was slain by the Persians, Dan 5:1.” — Dr Gill.
(336) Mr Mudge observes, that this clause should be translated, “Slew them amidst their fatnesses or indulgences.” This is approved of by Lowth. Cocceius and Michaelis give a similar version.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(30, 31) Evidently from Num. 11:33, They did not yet loath in consequence of their lusts, the meat was yet in their mouths when, &c. For the expression, comp. the Latin alienari ab aliqua re, to be disinclined to a thing, and our own stranger to fear, &c
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. They were not estranged from their lust Indulgence never cures unlawful appetites, nor awakens gratitude to God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 78:30. They were not estranged from their host But before they were averse to what they had desired, and while their meat was still in their mouths, the wrath of God, &c. Green: who, instead of the fattest of them, reads, the wealthiest. Mudge renders it, They were not come to nauseate their desire: their meat was yet in their mouths. Psa 78:31. When the wrath of God came upon them, and he slew them amidst their indulgences, and smote, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 78:30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat [was] yet in their mouths,
Ver. 30. They were not estranged from their lust ] Satiated they were, but not satisfied. It is as easy to quench the fire of Aetna as the thoughts set on fire by lust.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
not estranged = not turned away from.
their lust. What they had longed for.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
But: Num 11:33, Num 11:34, Num 22:20-22, Pro 1:32, Luk 16:19-23
Reciprocal: Job 20:23 – he is about Psa 106:14 – But Eze 7:19 – they shall not Dan 5:5 – the same Luk 12:20 – God 1Co 11:30 – many 1Jo 2:16 – the lust of the flesh
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 78:30-31. They were not estranged from their lust, &c. Green translates the verse, But before they were averse to what they had desired, and while their meat was still in their mouths, the wrath of God, &c. The sense is, either, 1st, While their greedy appetite yet continued, and was not fully satisfied; before they began to loathe the meat, as they did afterward, Num 11:20. Or, 2d, Before they were deprived of their desired food; while they enjoyed it, and were still feeding upon it, as the next clause explains this, the wrath of God came upon them His patience did not wait till that food was spent, but he instantly let loose his wrath to punish them; and slew the fattest of them The Hebrew word is rendered by Green, the wealthiest of them. Or, it may mean, the most healthy and strong, who probably were most desirous of this food, fed most eagerly upon it, and least suspected their own danger. And smote down By a very great pestilence, the chosen men of Israel The strongest and goodliest persons that were in Israel.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
78:30 They were not estranged from their {q} lust. But while their meat [was] yet in their mouths,
(q) Such is the nature of concupiscence, that the more it has the more it lusts.