78:1–8
The introduction is an invitation to learn wisdom.
Study notes
Psalms 78
78:1–72
This wisdom psalm urges people to learn wisdom and share it faithfully.
78:2
The psalmist tells Israel’s story (Psalm 78:5–72) as a parable to teach wisdom and insight.
Jesus quoted this verse to explain why he taught in parables (Matthew 13:35).
78:3–4
This story of what God has done should be told from generation to generation (see Deuteronomy 6:20–25; Proverbs 4:1–4).
78:5–6
The telling of the story should motivate God’s people to obey what he commanded (Deuteronomy 6:4–9).
78:7–8
God holds each generation responsible for its own actions. They should maintain faith and hope (see Psalm 9:18; 27:14) and avoid being stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful (see Deuteronomy 9:6–7; 10:16; 30:6; 31:27).
78:9–11
Ephraim was the second son of Joseph. He received a special blessing from Jacob (Genesis 48:15–20; 49:22–26; Deuteronomy 33:13–17). His descendants inherited land with fertile valleys and important roads (Judges 8:2). However, the people of Ephraim did not follow God's covenant.
78:12
The wonders are the ten plagues against Egypt that God performed during Israel’s captivity (Exodus 7–12).
78:12–16
The focus shifts from Ephraim (Psalm 78:9–11) to all of Israel. The psalmist thinks about God's power in Egypt (see Psalm 81:4–7) and in the wilderness.
78:13
God split the sea when Israel crossed through the Red Sea (see Exodus 14–15).
78:14
God used a cloud and a light of fire to guide and protect Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22).
78:17–31
Israel rebelled in the wilderness despite God’s abundant provision.
78:23–25
Abundance comes through the doors of heaven (Genesis 8:2; 2 Kings 7:2; Malachi 3:10).
The Israelites ate manna for 40 years in the wilderness (Exodus 16:31–36; John 6:31).
78:26–31
God powerfully satisfied the people’s desires, but they did not respond with gratitude or faith. Therefore, God exercised his justice.
78:32–39
Israel’s rebellion resulted in God’s judgment, but even their short-lived and insincere repentance motivated God to exercise forbearance.
78:33
An entire generation died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22–23, 28–35).
78:34
they repented: This strong show of effort was not sincere.
78:34–39
Israel continued to exist because of God's compassion, despite the people's rebellion and lack of belief (Psalm 78:7–8).
78:35–39
The Israelites remembered the correct teaching about God (Psalms 9:9; 91:1), but they did not let God change the way they thought and lived (Leviticus 26:41).
78:40–55
The Israelites rebelled even though the Lord had rescued them from powerful plagues.
78:56–64
Israel’s rebellion defiled the promised land. During the time of the judges, the people built shrines to false gods and worshiped idols (Psalm 78:58; see also Judges 2:11; 3:7, 17–18).
78:60
God abandoned his dwelling at Shiloh because of the people’s idol worship (1 Samuel 4:11; Jeremiah 7:12).
78:67
The tribe of Ephraim was not completely rejected, but God favored Judah (Psalm 78:68).
78:68–69
In the choice of Mount Zion instead of Shiloh as God’s sanctuary on earth, God moved from the north to the south (see Psalm 69).
78:70–72
The God who had turned against his own people (Psalm 78:62) chose David, a shepherd (Genesis 46:34; 1 Samuel 16:10–11), to lead them as their shepherd (Psalm 78:52; compare 23:1).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources