Psalm 106:14
New International Version
In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test.

New Living Translation
In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland.

English Standard Version
But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert;

Berean Standard Bible
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

Berean Literal Bible
and they craved with desire in the wilderness, and they tested God in the desert.

King James Bible
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

New King James Version
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert.

New American Standard Bible
But became lustfully greedy in the wilderness, And put God to the test in the desert.

NASB 1995
But craved intensely in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

NASB 1977
But craved intensely in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

Legacy Standard Bible
But craved intensely in the wilderness, And put God to the test in the wasteland.

Amplified Bible
But lusted intensely in the wilderness And tempted God [with their insistent desires] in the desert.

Berean Annotated Bible
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

Christian Standard Bible
They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

American Standard Version
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

Contemporary English Version
They became greedy for food and tested you there in the desert.

English Revised Version
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They had an unreasonable desire [for food]in the wilderness.[In the desert they tested God.]

Good News Translation
They were filled with craving in the desert and put God to the test;

International Standard Version
They were overwhelmed with craving in the wilderness, so God tested them in the wasteland.

NET Bible
In the wilderness they had an insatiable craving for meat; they challenged God in the desert.

New Heart English Bible
but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.

Webster's Bible Translation
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

World English Bible
but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they lust greatly in a wilderness, "" And try God in a desert.

Berean Literal Bible
and they craved with desire in the wilderness, and they tested God in the desert.

Young's Literal Translation
And they lust greatly in a wilderness, And try God in a desert.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will desire a desire in the desert, and they will tempt God in the waste.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they coveted their desire in the desert: and they tempted God in the place without water.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they coveted their desire in the desert, and they tempted God in a waterless place.

New American Bible
In the desert they gave in to their cravings, tempted God in the wasteland.

New Revised Standard Version
But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But craved exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They lusted greatly in the wilderness and they tempted God in the desert.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tried God in the desert.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the dry land.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
13Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel. 14They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. 15So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.…

Cross References
They craved intensely in the wilderness

Numbers 11:4
Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?

Numbers 11:34
So they called that place Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

Deuteronomy 9:22
You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.
and tested God in the desert.

Exodus 17:2
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Deuteronomy 6:16
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
Exodus 16:2-3
And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”

1 Corinthians 10:6
These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.

Numbers 11:33-34
But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague. / So they called that place Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

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—

Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Numbers 21:5
and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

Hebrews 3:17
And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

but

Psalm 78:18,30
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust…

Numbers 11:4,33,34
And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? …

Deuteronomy 9:22
And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.

lusted exceedingly.

Psalm 78:18-20,40,41
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust…

Psalm 95:8,9
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: …

Exodus 17:2
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

Jump to Previous
Craved Craving Desert Desires Dry Evil Exceedingly Greatly Intensely Lusted Places Tempted Test Tested Tried Try Wanton Waste Wasteland Way Wilderness
Jump to Next
Craved Craving Desert Desires Dry Evil Exceedingly Greatly Intensely Lusted Places Tempted Test Tested Tried Try Wanton Waste Wasteland Way Wilderness
Psalm 106
1. The psalmist exhorts to praise God
4. He prays for pardon of sin, as God pardoned the fathers
7. The story of the people's rebellion, and God's mercy
47. He concludes with prayer and praise












They craved intensely in the wilderness

Israel grew dissatisfied with God’s provision and longed for the food of Egypt, forgetting the bondage from which He had delivered them. In the wilderness, where every need depended on God’s care, their desires exposed unbelief and ingratitude.

Num 11:4 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving…
Num 11:34 So they called that place Kibroth-hattaavah,…
Deu 9:22 You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah…

and tested God in the desert.

Rather than trusting God to provide, they demanded proof of His power and questioned His presence among them. Their rebellion at places such as Massah showed a hardened refusal to rest in the faithfulness of the God who had redeemed them.

Exo 17:2 So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water…”…
Exo 17:7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites…
Deu 6:16 Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

2. The Wilderness
The desert region where the Israelites wandered after their exodus from Egypt. It was a place of testing and reliance on God for provision.

3. God
The Almighty, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and was tested by their lack of faith and obedience.

4. The Craving
Refers to the Israelites' intense desire for food and comfort, which led them to complain and doubt God's provision.

5. Testing God
The act of doubting God's power and provision, which the Israelites did by demanding signs and questioning His care for them.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Discontentment
Discontentment can lead us away from trusting in God's provision. Like the Israelites, we must guard our hearts against craving what God has not given us.

Testing God through Unbelief
When we doubt God's goodness and provision, we test Him. Faith requires trusting in God's character and promises, even when circumstances are challenging.

The Importance of Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful antidote to craving and discontentment. Regularly reflecting on God's past faithfulness can help us maintain a thankful heart.

Learning from Past Mistakes
The experiences of the Israelites serve as warnings for us. We should learn from their mistakes and strive to live in obedience and faith.

Relying on God's Provision
God knows our needs and is faithful to provide. We must rely on Him and not seek fulfillment outside of His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 106:14?

2. How does Psalm 106:14 warn against craving "intensely in the wilderness"?

3. What lessons can we learn from Israel's impatience in Psalm 106:14?

4. How does Psalm 106:14 connect to the Israelites' journey in Exodus?

5. How can we apply Psalm 106:14 to resist modern-day temptations?

6. What role does trust in God play according to Psalm 106:14?

7. What does Psalm 106:14 reveal about human nature and temptation?

8. How does Psalm 106:14 challenge our understanding of divine patience?

9. What historical context is essential for interpreting Psalm 106:14?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 106?


(14) Lusted.--See margin.

Verse 14. - But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness; literally, "lusted a lust." The expression is taken from Numbers 11:4, where it is translated in the Authorized Version by "fell a-lusting." The lust was for "flesh," and for "the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic, which they did eat in Egypt freely" (Numbers 11:5). And tempted God in the desert (comp. Psalm 78:18).

Psalm 106:14 exposes Israel’s pattern—rescued people craving what God withheld, then daring Him to prove Himself. Their craving revealed discontent; their testing revealed unbelief. The wilderness and desert magnified every flaw, yet also magnified God’s patience. The verse warns today’s believer to treasure God’s provision and trust His character, refusing to let craving lead to provocation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They craved
וַיִּתְאַוּ֣וּ (way·yiṯ·’aw·wū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 183: To incline, desire

intensely
תַ֭אֲוָה (ṯa·’ă·wāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8378: A longing, a delight

in the wilderness
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

and tested
וַיְנַסּוּ־ (way·nas·sū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5254: To test, to attempt

God
אֵ֝֗ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

in the desert.
בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃ (bî·šî·mō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3452: Waste, wilderness


Additonal Resources
Psalm 106:14 Blue Letter Bible
Psalm 106:14 Bible Gateway
Psalm 106:14 Bible.com

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Psalm 106:14 Study Bible
Psalm 106:14 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 106:14 Chinese Bible
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Psalm 106:14 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 106:14 But gave in to craving (Psalm Ps Psa.)

Psalm 106:13
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