Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalms 78 is a maskil, a thoughtful and reflective psalm attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levite musician and prophet during the reign of King David. Asaph's psalms often grapple with doubt and discouragement, ultimately finding resolution in a renewed understanding of God's character and faithfulness. This particular psalm serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring covenant with Israel, even in the face of their repeated disobedience. It functions as both an encouragement to trust God and a stern warning against repeating the mistakes of the past. Psalms 78 is a historical survey, a spiritual lesson, and a prophetic call, all interwoven to stir the hearts of God's people towards faithfulness.
An Invitation to Learn from History (78:1-8)
Asaph begins by calling on those with spiritual understanding to listen attentively to the instruction and wise sayings he is about to share. He emphasizes the importance of passing down the stories of God's faithfulness to future generations. This intergenerational transmission of faith is crucial, ensuring that each new cohort learns from the past, understands God's requirements for His covenant people, and grows in their knowledge of and trust in Him. The goal is to cultivate a people who will praise God for the wondrous works He has performed for them.
The psalmist challenges his own generation, and every generation thereafter, to teach their children not to be like their ancestors, who were stubborn and rebellious. We, too, must learn from the past, imitating the faithful and avoiding the foolishness of the wicked, if we are to experience the goodness of God. This echoes the command given to Israel from the beginning (Exodus 10:2), and is a recurring theme throughout their history (Psalm 44:1).
An early example of failure is given with the mention of the Ephraimites. While the specific context is not provided within the psalm, the point is clear: they "lost heart and turned back on the day of battle" (Psalms 78:9). Whether this refers to a specific, unrecorded event, or serves as a symbolic representation of spiritual failure, it highlights the danger of forgetting God's power and abandoning His covenant. Some interpreters view this as a prophetic comment on the eventual division of the kingdom, where Judah, not Ephraim, became the dominant tribe.
Remembering God's Faithfulness in the Exodus (78:9-31)
The psalm then recounts the dramatic events of the Exodus, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that demonstrated God's power and love. God unleashed devastating plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 3:19-20; 6:6-8; 7-12), breaking the nation's power and revealing His sovereignty. This culminated in the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), a miraculous act that secured Israel's freedom from slavery. God's presence was evident in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22), and He even provided water in the desert (Exodus 15:23-25).
However, even amidst these displays of divine provision, the Israelites repeatedly complained and tested God (Psalms 78:18-20). They forgot the miracles they had witnessed and succumbed to doubt and entitlement. Despite God bringing them streams out of stone and raining bread (manna) and meat (quail) on them (Psalms 78:16-17, 24, 27), they continued to sin against Him in the desert. They did not believe God or rely on his salvation (Psalms 78:22).
God responded to their disrespect and arrogance with displays of fiery power (Numbers 11:1-3), but also with acts of mercy, providing them with food in the form of bread and meat (Exodus 16:12-15). Yet, even then, the people were not satisfied, and God struck them with a plague (Numbers 11:33; Psalms 78:21-31). God's anger caused him to kill many of them (Psalms 78:31). Nonetheless, they kept sinning and experienced further disaster (Psalms 78:32-33).
A Cycle of Rebellion and Deliverance (78:32-64)
This pattern of forgetfulness, rebellion, and divine intervention continued throughout Israel's journey through the wilderness and their settlement in Canaan. No matter how often the Lord intervened, the people fell back into disobedience. When God judged them, some of the people made a pretense of repenting (Psalms 78:34). But, they were insincere, confessing with their mouths but demonstrating with their lives that they were still unfaithful to their covenant (Psalms 78:37). Amazingly, though, God was compassionate and atoned for their iniquity (Psalms 78:38). Rather than destroying them outright, God chose to be merciful, demonstrating patience that is even more remarkable considering the intense disasters He brought upon the Egyptians (Exodus 3:20).
Asaph recalls the plagues that the Lord brought upon Egypt (Psalms 78:43-51), all of which the people of the exodus had failed to remember (Psalms 78:42). He explains how He brought them to safety and settled them in the promised land, His holy territory (Psalms 78:53-54).
Even after entering Canaan, Israel continued to fall into sin and reject the Lord (Judges 2:16-19). They turned to carved images instead of to the true and living God (Psalms 78:58). Therefore, He gave them over to their enemies (Psalms 78:61-64). Among the most embarrassing of these defeats was a battlefield loss to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10), who temporarily captured the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). Some of Israel's leading priests were killed in that event. As promised (Deuteronomy 11:26-28), God responded by allowing other nations to oppress and even conquer Israel (Deuteronomy 28:15-25).
God's Choice: Judah and David (78:65-72)
Through all these events, the Lord was still working for Israel's benefit. Nevertheless, the Lord would not completely give up on his people. In time, he beat back their adversaries (Psalms 78:65-66). The lessons and experiences in Sinai and Canaan led to the rise of David (1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 1:4).
Ultimately, God would choose the tribe of Judah and the house of David for the messianic line (Psalms 78:68, 70; see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Thus, the one who shepherded sheep (David) would shepherd God’s people in fulfillment of his kingdom purpose (Psalms 78:70-71). He established his capital on Mount Zion, which became the city of Jerusalem. Though David was not Israel's first king (1 Samuel 10:21-24), he was its greatest ruler (Psalms 78:65-72). This shepherding role, however, would ultimately be fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the good shepherd (see John 10).
These highlights cover Israel's history from slavery in Egypt to a kingdom under the rule of David. Asaph's purpose is to support the idea that no matter how far Israel fell, God was still with them. He has always rewarded those who are faithful to Him.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 78 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and learning from the mistakes of the past. God’s people today need to be students of history. Knowing how God has acted in the past can influence how we respond in the future. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility go hand in hand. We must cultivate a heart of gratitude, resist the temptation to complain and doubt, and diligently pass on the truths of God's Word to the next generation. By doing so, we can avoid repeating the cycle of rebellion and experience the blessings of a life lived in obedience to God.
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalms 78 is a maskil, a thoughtful and reflective psalm attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levite musician and prophet during the reign of King David. Asaph's psalms often grapple with doubt and discouragement, ultimately finding resolution in a renewed understanding of God's character and faithfulness. This particular psalm serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring covenant with Israel, even in the face of their repeated disobedience. It functions as both an encouragement to trust God and a stern warning against repeating the mistakes of the past. Psalms 78 is a historical survey, a spiritual lesson, and a prophetic call, all interwoven to stir the hearts of God's people towards faithfulness.
An Invitation to Learn from History (78:1-8)
Asaph begins by calling on those with spiritual understanding to listen attentively to the instruction and wise sayings he is about to share. He emphasizes the importance of passing down the stories of God's faithfulness to future generations. This intergenerational transmission of faith is crucial, ensuring that each new cohort learns from the past, understands God's requirements for His covenant people, and grows in their knowledge of and trust in Him. The goal is to cultivate a people who will praise God for the wondrous works He has performed for them.
The psalmist challenges his own generation, and every generation thereafter, to teach their children not to be like their ancestors, who were stubborn and rebellious. We, too, must learn from the past, imitating the faithful and avoiding the foolishness of the wicked, if we are to experience the goodness of God. This echoes the command given to Israel from the beginning (Exodus 10:2), and is a recurring theme throughout their history (Psalm 44:1).
An early example of failure is given with the mention of the Ephraimites. While the specific context is not provided within the psalm, the point is clear: they "lost heart and turned back on the day of battle" (Psalms 78:9). Whether this refers to a specific, unrecorded event, or serves as a symbolic representation of spiritual failure, it highlights the danger of forgetting God's power and abandoning His covenant. Some interpreters view this as a prophetic comment on the eventual division of the kingdom, where Judah, not Ephraim, became the dominant tribe.
Remembering God's Faithfulness in the Exodus (78:9-31)
The psalm then recounts the dramatic events of the Exodus, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that demonstrated God's power and love. God unleashed devastating plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 3:19-20; 6:6-8; 7-12), breaking the nation's power and revealing His sovereignty. This culminated in the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), a miraculous act that secured Israel's freedom from slavery. God's presence was evident in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22), and He even provided water in the desert (Exodus 15:23-25).
However, even amidst these displays of divine provision, the Israelites repeatedly complained and tested God (Psalms 78:18-20). They forgot the miracles they had witnessed and succumbed to doubt and entitlement. Despite God bringing them streams out of stone and raining bread (manna) and meat (quail) on them (Psalms 78:16-17, 24, 27), they continued to sin against Him in the desert. They did not believe God or rely on his salvation (Psalms 78:22).
God responded to their disrespect and arrogance with displays of fiery power (Numbers 11:1-3), but also with acts of mercy, providing them with food in the form of bread and meat (Exodus 16:12-15). Yet, even then, the people were not satisfied, and God struck them with a plague (Numbers 11:33; Psalms 78:21-31). God's anger caused him to kill many of them (Psalms 78:31). Nonetheless, they kept sinning and experienced further disaster (Psalms 78:32-33).
A Cycle of Rebellion and Deliverance (78:32-64)
This pattern of forgetfulness, rebellion, and divine intervention continued throughout Israel's journey through the wilderness and their settlement in Canaan. No matter how often the Lord intervened, the people fell back into disobedience. When God judged them, some of the people made a pretense of repenting (Psalms 78:34). But, they were insincere, confessing with their mouths but demonstrating with their lives that they were still unfaithful to their covenant (Psalms 78:37). Amazingly, though, God was compassionate and atoned for their iniquity (Psalms 78:38). Rather than destroying them outright, God chose to be merciful, demonstrating patience that is even more remarkable considering the intense disasters He brought upon the Egyptians (Exodus 3:20).
Asaph recalls the plagues that the Lord brought upon Egypt (Psalms 78:43-51), all of which the people of the exodus had failed to remember (Psalms 78:42). He explains how He brought them to safety and settled them in the promised land, His holy territory (Psalms 78:53-54).
Even after entering Canaan, Israel continued to fall into sin and reject the Lord (Judges 2:16-19). They turned to carved images instead of to the true and living God (Psalms 78:58). Therefore, He gave them over to their enemies (Psalms 78:61-64). Among the most embarrassing of these defeats was a battlefield loss to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10), who temporarily captured the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). Some of Israel's leading priests were killed in that event. As promised (Deuteronomy 11:26-28), God responded by allowing other nations to oppress and even conquer Israel (Deuteronomy 28:15-25).
God's Choice: Judah and David (78:65-72)
Through all these events, the Lord was still working for Israel's benefit. Nevertheless, the Lord would not completely give up on his people. In time, he beat back their adversaries (Psalms 78:65-66). The lessons and experiences in Sinai and Canaan led to the rise of David (1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 1:4).
Ultimately, God would choose the tribe of Judah and the house of David for the messianic line (Psalms 78:68, 70; see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Thus, the one who shepherded sheep (David) would shepherd God’s people in fulfillment of his kingdom purpose (Psalms 78:70-71). He established his capital on Mount Zion, which became the city of Jerusalem. Though David was not Israel's first king (1 Samuel 10:21-24), he was its greatest ruler (Psalms 78:65-72). This shepherding role, however, would ultimately be fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the good shepherd (see John 10).
These highlights cover Israel's history from slavery in Egypt to a kingdom under the rule of David. Asaph's purpose is to support the idea that no matter how far Israel fell, God was still with them. He has always rewarded those who are faithful to Him.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 78 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and learning from the mistakes of the past. God’s people today need to be students of history. Knowing how God has acted in the past can influence how we respond in the future. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility go hand in hand. We must cultivate a heart of gratitude, resist the temptation to complain and doubt, and diligently pass on the truths of God's Word to the next generation. By doing so, we can avoid repeating the cycle of rebellion and experience the blessings of a life lived in obedience to God.