Psalm 78:34
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
When he slew them,.... Some of them, the spies particularly; or when he threatened to slay them, or was about to do it:
then they sought him; that is, those who either survived the slain, or were threatened with destruction; these sought the Lord by prayer and supplication, that he would not destroy them; the Targum is,
"they repented and sought him;''
see Numbers 14:37,
and they returned; from their evil ways, and by repentance, at least in show and appearance:
and inquired early after God; but not earnestly, and with their whole hearts and spirits; the Targum is,
"they prayed before God;''
which is often done, by carnal professors, in trouble; see Isaiah 26:16 Hosea 5:15.