Psalms 78:23-29

78:23 He gave a command to the clouds above,

and opened the doors in the sky.

78:24 He rained down manna for them to eat;

he gave them the grain of heaven. ¹ 

78:25 Man ate the food of the mighty ones. ² 

He sent them more than enough to eat. ³ 

78:26 He brought the east wind through the sky,

and by his strength led forth the south wind.

78:27 He rained down meat on them like dust,

birds as numerous as the sand on the seashores. ⁴ 

78:28 He caused them to fall right in the middle of their camp,

all around their homes.

78:29 They ate until they were stuffed; ⁵ 

he gave them what they desired.

[78:24]  ¹ sn Manna was apparently shaped like a seed (Exod 16:31), perhaps explaining why it is here compared to grain.

[78:25]  ¹ sn Because of the reference to “heaven” in the preceding verse, it is likely that mighty ones refers here to the angels of heaven. The LXX translates “angels” here, as do a number of modern translations (NEB, NIV, NRSV).

[78:25]  ² tn Heb “provision he sent to them to satisfaction.”

[78:27]  ¹ tn Heb “and like the sand of the seas winged birds.”

[78:29]  ¹ tn Heb “and they ate and were very satisfied.”