Psalms 78:34

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 .