Psalms 106:14 Meaning: Craving and Testing God
but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.
And they lust greatly in a wilderness, And try God in a desert.
And they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Israel give in to craving and test God after seeing His miracles? Devotional on Psalm 106:14 with word studies, application, and prayer.
Context
Psalm 106 is a long, honest look at Israel’s history. The psalmist does not skip the ugly parts. After recounting God’s rescue from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, he turns to what happened next. The people had seen water split, enemies drowned, and manna appear each morning. But in the wilderness, a place where they could not provide for themselves, they forgot. Verse 14 sits inside a catalogue of failures: they gave in to craving, tested God, and insisted on their own way. This verse points back to events in Exodus and Numbers where the people demanded meat and questioned whether God was really with them. It is a warning about how quickly gratitude can turn to complaint when our circumstances are hard.
Key Words
Two Hebrew phrases carry the weight here. The word for “craved” is actually a repetition: the verb avah paired with the noun ta’avah, “they craved a craving.” It is the same wording used in Numbers 11:4, where the people wept for meat. This is not simple hunger, it is a consuming, demanding desire that pushes out trust. The word for “tested” is nasah, which means to put someone to the proof. It is the same verb used when Israel asked, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7). They were not doubting God’s existence; they were questioning His willingness to provide. And the place where they did all this is called yeshimon, a desolate, barren wasteland. That word emphasizes how dependent they were, and how their craving did not match their circumstances.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers across traditions have seen this verse as a mirror of the human heart. Many Reformed and Evangelical commentators point to it as a warning against ingratitude and unbelief: God had done everything, yet the people wanted more on their own terms. Catholic and Anglican interpreters often highlight the connection to the Eucharist, how easily we forget the daily bread God provides and crave what we think we lack. The verse is also read as a call to examine our desires. Whether we call it lust, concupiscence, or simply the pull of the world, the pattern is the same: we forget His past works and test whether He will come through again. All traditions agree that this is not just an old story; it is a standing invitation to trust the Provider rather than push back against His plan.
A common misunderstanding
Some people read “tested God” and think it means Israel doubted God’s existence. In fact, the Hebrew verb nasah means putting God to the test by demanding that He prove Himself on their terms. They were not atheists, they were believers who refused to wait and trust. The sin was not a lack of faith in God, but a refusal to trust His timing and His methods.
Living This Out
Think about a place in your life right now that feels like a wasteland: a job that drains you, a health struggle that will not end, a relationship that seems stuck. In that place, craving rises. You want a way out, a quick fix, something you can taste and touch. This verse asks you to notice that craving and name it. Then it asks something harder: to remember what God has already done. He split seas for you. He fed you with manna. He has not changed. You do not need to test Him. You can wait for His counsel, even when the desert is dry.
Main takeaway: Our cravings can quickly drown out the memory of God’s miracles, but He invites us to trust Him in the wasteland instead of testing Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God did big miracles for His people, but they forgot and wanted more. They kept asking for different food even though God gave them bread every day. That made God sad.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine you are on a long trip and your mom packs your favorite lunch, but you keep complaining you want something else. That is what Israel did in the desert. God gave them manna every single morning, but they craved meat and tested whether He could provide. This verse is a warning: when we keep wanting what we do not have, we can forget how good God has been. The better choice is to thank Him for what He gives and trust that He knows what is best.
Questions People Ask
What does “gave in to craving” mean in Psalm 106:14?
The Hebrew phrase literally says “they craved a craving.” It refers to a strong, demanding desire for something they did not have, specifically meat in the wilderness. It is not ordinary hunger, but a lustful, insistent wanting that led them to forget God’s provision.
Why is testing God a sin?
Testing God in this context means demanding that He prove His power or willingness to help on our terms. It reveals a heart that does not trust His character or His past faithfulness. It is the opposite of humble reliance.
How does Psalm 106:14 connect to the events in Numbers 11?
Numbers 11 records the Israelites craving meat and weeping for it. God sent quail, but also a plague because of their rebellion. Psalm 106:14 quotes the same language from Numbers 11:4, linking the psalmist’s confession directly to that event.
What does “leanness into their soul” in verse 15 mean?
God gave them what they demanded but with a cost. Their souls became lean, or empty. The physical satisfaction did not satisfy their deeper need. It shows that getting what we crave apart from God’s timing often leaves us emptier than before.
How can I avoid the mistake Israel made in this verse?
When you feel a strong desire for something you do not have, pause and remember what God has already done for you. Thank Him before you complain. Trust that He knows what is best, even when His plan includes waiting or missing out on what you crave.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study