In verses 29b, 30a what they craved and their craving translate the same noun, “desire, craving.” The Hebrew word taʾawah is represented in Numbers 11.34 as part of the name given the place, “Kibroth-hattaavah” (Revised Standard Version), “graves of craving.” The verb phrase they ate here refers to the Hebrews eating the birds, whereas in verse 25 it refers to their eating the bread or grain. In some languages the verb will differ in these two verses. Verses 29 and 30 in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation make it appear that the people were satisfied, but that their craving was not satisfied. If this is followed, in many languages the reader will be confused. It may be preferable therefore to say in verses 29-30 “And so the people ate the meat and filled their stomachs. God had given them what they wanted. But they still had their desire for meat and were still eating it when….”

No specific reason is given why God suddenly got angry with them and killed the strongest of them. Numbers 11.33 reports that it was with “a very great plague” (Revised Standard Version) that the LORD killed them. But the lesson the psalmist is seeking to teach is that it was lack of trust, it was rebellion and disobedience, that caused God’s anger. In verse 31c the picked men of Israel is parallel to the strongest of them in verse 31b and means “the best young men,” young men in the prime of life.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .