Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 78:40

"How oft did they rebel against him in the wilderness, And grieve him in the desert!" — Psalms 78:40 (ASV)

How often did they provoke him in the wilderness - The margin reads: "Or, rebel against him." The Hebrew word may have the signification in the margin. The idea is that they were perverse and rebellious; that they excited his displeasure and gave occasion for his anger. See Psalm 78:17.

And grieve him in the desert - The word here rendered "grieve" means:

1. to work, to fashion;
2. to suffer pain, to travail, to be afflicted; and then,
3. to cause one to suffer pain, or to afflict.

The meaning here is that the conduct of the Hebrews was such as was suited to cause pain - as the conduct of a disobedient and rebellious child is.