Psalm 78:12–28

He performed miracles in plain sight of their parents

in Egypt, out on the fields of Zoan.

He split the Sea and they walked right through it;

he piled the waters to the right and the left.

He led them by day with a cloud,

led them all the night long with a fiery torch.

He split rocks in the wilderness,

gave them all they could drink from underground springs;

He made creeks flow out from sheer rock,

and water pour out like a river.

^17–20All they did was sin even more,

rebel in the desert against the High God.

They tried to get their own way with God,

clamored for favors, for special attention.

They whined like spoiled children,

“Why can’t God give us a decent meal in this desert?

Sure, he struck the rock and the water flowed,

creeks cascaded from the rock.

But how about some fresh-baked bread?

How about a nice cut of meat?”

^21–31When God heard that, he was furious—

his anger flared against Jacob,

he lost his temper with Israel.

It was clear they didn’t believe God,

had no intention of trusting in his help.

But God helped them anyway, commanded the clouds

and gave orders that opened the gates of heaven.

He rained down showers of manna to eat,

he gave them the Bread of Heaven.

They ate the bread of the mighty angels;

he sent them all the food they could eat.

He let East Wind break loose from the skies,

gave a strong push to South Wind.

This time it was birds that rained down—

succulent birds, an abundance of birds.

He aimed them right for the center of their camp;

all round their tents there were birds.