‏ Psalms 78

Lessons from Israel’s History

This introduction explains that this psalm is meant to teach important truths. The psalmist—probably Asaph or David—urges people to listen carefully. The history in this psalm is not just a story. It is a lesson to help people trust and obey God. The psalmist reminds us that these stories are important for every generation. We must learn from the past, teach our children, and avoid repeating the mistakes of those who came before us.

v. 1: The psalmist calls everyone to attention: “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth”. He speaks as a leader or prophet, telling the people that what he says is very important—like a law that must be heard and obeyed. If God puts good people in places of authority, their words can guide many. But everyone should listen carefully to God’s message.

v. 2: He says, “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old”. The stories he tells may seem mysterious or deep, but they are full of wisdom. These are lessons that need our careful attention. Jesus also used parables to teach about God’s kingdom (Matthew 13:35 ^a).

v. 3: The psalmist reminds us that these stories are old and true: “Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us”. We should respect what our parents and ancestors have taught us, especially if it is about God’s works and promises.

v. 4: He promises, “We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he has done”. It is our duty to pass on what we know about God—not just to our own children, but to all who come after us. The most important things to teach are God’s power and the great things he has done.

v. 5: The psalmist explains, “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”. God gave his people laws and promises and told them to teach these things to every generation (see Deuteronomy 6:7, 20 ^b). The church should always continue, with each new generation teaching the next about God.

v. 6: This is so, “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children”. Faith and knowledge of God should be passed down, so that God’s people will never disappear from the earth.

v. 7: The goal is, “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”. When people remember what God has done, they will trust him and obey his laws. Remembering God’s works gives us hope and helps us stay faithful.

v. 8: The psalmist warns, “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 steadfast with God”. He wants the new generation to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors, who did not follow God with sincere hearts. If we know what went wrong before, we can choose a better path now. We should not copy what was bad, even if it is tradition (1 Peter 1:18 ^c).

The Failure of Ephraim and the Lessons of Israel’s History

This section shows how the tribe of Ephraim failed in their responsibility and reminds us how God’s people often forget His great works. The psalm uses the history of Israel to teach important lessons about trusting God, obeying His commands, and remembering what He has done. The story of Ephraim is a warning for all God’s people to be faithful and not repeat the same mistakes.

v. 9: The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle . The tribe of Ephraim was well-equipped for battle and had weapons, but they failed and retreated when the time came to fight. This verse is a picture of people who have many advantages and opportunities, but still give up when they face difficulties. It is a warning against being unfaithful or cowardly, even when God has given us all we need to stand firm. The psalmist uses Ephraim as an example of how God’s people sometimes fail to trust Him and do what He calls them to do.

v. 10: They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law . The reason for Ephraim’s failure was not just fear, but disobedience. They did not keep the promises they made to God, and they refused to live by His commandments. When people forget God’s law and ignore His covenant, they lose the strength and courage they need to face life’s battles. This shows how important it is to trust and obey God if we want to stand strong.

v. 11: And forgot his works, and his wonders that he had showed them (Psalm 78:11 ^d). The people also forgot all the great things God had done for them. They did not remember the miracles and help God had given in the past. Forgetting God’s blessings leads to weakness and failure, because we stop trusting Him. The psalm reminds us to remember God’s works and to let them strengthen our faith and obedience.

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Israel’s Rebellion and God’s Compassion

This section reminds us how often the people of Israel turned away from God, especially during their journey in the wilderness. Despite all the miracles they had seen, they continued to doubt and disobey God. The passage also shows how patient and compassionate God was, even when His people grieved and provoked Him many times.

v. 40: How often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! . The psalmist looks back on Israel’s journey through the wilderness and is amazed at how many times they angered God. Again and again, they forgot His miracles, complained, and refused to trust Him. Their constant doubting and turning away from God caused Him deep sorrow. Even though God had saved and cared for them, they acted as though they did not remember or appreciate His help.

v. 41: Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel . Instead of moving forward in faith, the Israelites kept turning back to their old ways and testing God’s patience. They "limited" God by their lack of trust, as if His power and goodness had boundaries. Their unbelief kept them from receiving even greater blessings that God wanted to give them.

v. 42: They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy . The people forgot how powerful God’s hand had been in saving them from their enemies—especially their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This forgetfulness led them to doubt God’s ability to help them in new troubles. Remembering God’s past help should have made them more faithful, but instead, they ignored it.

v. 43: How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan . The psalmist reminds us of the great miracles God performed in Egypt, especially in the city called Zoan. These signs and wonders showed God’s power over Egypt’s gods and rulers. The Israelites saw these things with their own eyes, yet they still forgot and doubted God later on.

v. 44: And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink . One of the first miracles in Egypt was turning the rivers and streams into blood, so the Egyptians could not drink the water. This was a clear sign of God’s power and judgment.

v. 45: He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them . God sent plagues of flies and frogs as punishments upon Egypt. These plagues made life miserable for the Egyptians, showing that God was in control and could use even the smallest creatures to accomplish His will.

v. 46: He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labour unto the locust . God allowed insects like caterpillars and locusts to eat the crops of Egypt. All the hard work of the Egyptians was ruined because they opposed God’s people. This was another sign of God’s power and judgment.

v. 47: He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost . God sent weather disasters—hail and frost—that destroyed the Egyptians’ vineyards and trees. No part of their land was safe from God’s judgments when they opposed Him and His people.

v. 48: He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts . Even the animals were harmed by God’s punishments. Hail and lightning struck their cattle and sheep. This showed that God’s judgment was complete and nothing could stand against His will.

v. 49: He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them . The psalmist says that God sent the fullness of His anger upon Egypt, even sending "evil angels," or agents of destruction, to punish them. This was not out of cruelty, but a just response to Egypt’s stubbornness and violence against God’s people.

v. 50: He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence . God allowed the plagues to continue until the Egyptians were humbled. He did not hold back His judgments, even to the point of allowing death and disease to sweep through the land.

v. 51: And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham . The final and most terrible plague was the death of the firstborn sons in Egypt. This broke the strength of Egypt and forced Pharaoh to let God’s people go. The "tabernacles of Ham" refers to the Egyptian people, who were descendants of Ham, Noah’s son.

v. 52: But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock . In contrast to the Egyptians’ suffering, God led His people out of slavery gently, like a shepherd leading his sheep. He protected and cared for them during their journey through the wilderness, showing His love and faithfulness.

v. 53: And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies . God brought the Israelites safely through dangers, especially when He parted the Red Sea for them and then drowned their enemies, the Egyptian army, in the same sea. Because God was with them, they did not need to be afraid.

God Brings His People to the Promised Land

v. 54: “And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased” . God fulfilled His promise by bringing Israel safely to the land He had chosen for them. The “border of his sanctuary” means the holy land, especially Mount Zion, which God set apart for Himself. It was not by Israel’s strength, but by God’s power and faithfulness that they arrived. This reminds us that every blessing we receive is a gift from God’s hand, not our own achievement (Exodus 15:17 ^e).

v. 55: “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” . God drove out the nations living in Canaan and gave each tribe of Israel its own portion of land. He provided for them with care and order, making sure every family had a place to live. This shows God’s attention to detail and His desire to bless His people with security and rest (Joshua 23:9-10 ^f). We should trust God to provide for our needs and be content with the place He gives us.

Israel’s Rebellion Despite God’s Goodness

v. 56: “Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies” . Even after all God had done, the people tested His patience and disobeyed His commands. They did not keep the covenant or live by His word. This shows how quickly people can forget God’s kindness and turn away from Him (Numbers 14:22 ^g). We must guard our hearts against ingratitude and rebellion.

v. 57: “But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow” . The Israelites repeated the sins of their ancestors, turning away from God and breaking their promises. The image of a “deceitful bow” means they could not be trusted—they looked strong but failed when tested (Hosea 7:16 ^h). Faithfulness is shown not just in words, but in actions that match our commitments.

v. 58: “For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images” . The people worshiped idols on the “high places,” copying the nations around them. This was spiritual adultery, making God jealous for their love and loyalty (Exodus 20:3-5 ⁱ). God wants our hearts to belong to Him alone. We must beware of anything that takes His place in our lives.

God’s Judgment on Persistent Sin

v. 59: “When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel” . God’s anger was stirred by their unfaithfulness. He “abhorred” Israel—not because He stopped loving them, but because He hated their sin. Persistent rebellion brings God’s judgment, even on those He has blessed (Romans 1:18 ^j).

v. 60: “So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men” . God withdrew His presence from the tabernacle at Shiloh, which had been the center of worship. This was a terrible loss—the people lost the sense of God living among them (1 Samuel 4:10-11 ^k). When we turn from God, we risk losing the joy of His presence.

v. 61: “And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand” . The Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s power and glory, was captured by Israel’s enemies. This was a sign that God allowed defeat because of their sin (1 Samuel 4:17-22 ^l). God’s blessings are not guaranteed if we persist in disobedience.

v. 62: “He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance” . God allowed His people to be defeated in battle. Even though they were His “inheritance,” their sin brought serious consequences. God’s discipline is a sign of His justice and His desire to bring us back to Himself (Lamentations 2:20-21 ^m).

v. 63: “The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage” . War and disaster brought great sorrow—young men died, and young women had no weddings or celebrations. Sin brings loss and sadness, not just to individuals but to whole communities.

v. 64: “Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation” . Even the priests, who should have been spiritual leaders, were killed. The grief was so deep that widows could not even mourn. When spiritual leaders fall, the whole nation suffers. We must pray for and support those who lead us in faith.

God’s Mercy and New Beginning

v. 65: “Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine” . After a time of judgment, God acted powerfully to save His people. The image is of God “waking up” and rising with strength and energy. God may seem silent for a time, but He never forgets His people. When He moves, nothing can stop Him (Isaiah 51:9 ⁿ).

v. 66: “And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach” . God defeated Israel’s enemies and brought them shame. He showed that He is able to rescue and restore, even after great loss. God’s power is greater than any enemy or setback (1 Samuel 5:6-12 ^o).

God Chooses Judah and David

v. 67: “Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim” . God chose not to continue His special presence with the tribe of Ephraim (descendants of Joseph), who had been leaders before. This was because of their unfaithfulness. God’s choices are based on His wisdom and purpose, not human tradition (Hosea 4:17 ^p).

v. 68: “But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved” . God chose Judah and Mount Zion (Jerusalem) as the new center for worship and leadership. This was the place He “loved”—not because it was better, but because of His grace and plan. God’s love sets people and places apart for His glory (Genesis 49:10 ^q).

v. 69: “And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever” . God’s sanctuary (the temple) was built to be beautiful and lasting, like the earth itself. This points to God’s desire to dwell with His people forever. The church today is God’s spiritual temple, built to last through all generations (Ephesians 2:19-22 ^r).

v. 70: “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds” . God chose David, a humble shepherd, to be king. God often chooses those who seem least important to do great things for Him. David’s heart for God mattered more than his background (1 Samuel 16:11-13 ^s).

v. 71: “From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance” . David’s care for sheep prepared him to care for God’s people. God values leaders who serve with gentleness and faithfulness. Every task, no matter how small, can be training for greater service (Ezekiel 34:23 ^t).

v. 72: “So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands” (Psalm 78:72 ^u). David led with honesty and skill. God’s people need leaders who are both sincere and wise. This verse points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leads us with perfect love and wisdom (John1 ^v).