Psalms 78:31

The wrath of God came upon them -SeeNumbers 11:33. And slew the fattest of them -literally, “slew among their fat ones.” That is, The most vigorous among them were cut down; the people most eminent for rank, for influence, for strength, for valor. How far this was the natural effect of indulgence in eating, and how far it was a direct miracle, cannot now be ascertained. In either case it would equally show the divine displeasure. And smote down -Margin, as in Hebrew, “made to bow.” That is, they were made to bow in death. The chosen men of Israel -Margin, “Young men.” The idea is that of select men; men that would be chosen from among the others; men distinguished for vigor or influence.