They angered the Lord at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account; for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke words that were rash. (Psalm 106: 32-33)

God was angered - qatsaph is the Hebrew - at Meribah (Exodus 17: 7). The Hebrew can encompass a range of feeling from mild displeasure to full fury. The specific attitude of God is not clear.

But the story of Moses at Meribah is well-known. Moses joined God in being angry. Moses was frustrated and impatient at the constant contentiousness of his people.

God may have been angry, but God also recognized the thirst of the people. God instructed Moses in how to satisfy their thirst. But before doing so Moses behaved rashly in expressing his anger and, according to some scholars, acting in a self-justifying manner inconsistent with God's purposes.

As a result of his bitter behavior at Meribah, God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. God continued to love and bless Moses. But God also held Moses accountable for angry and impatient action.

Even God experiences qatsaph. But God is wise enough to not allow anger to inform action. God holds us accountable but in love not anger.