Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 78

Introduction

1  An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God.
9  The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient.
67  The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.
Verse 1

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
A. M. 3074. B.C. 930. (Title.) Maschil. or, A Psalm for Asaph, to give instruction
74:1; *title This Psalm was probably written, as Calmet and others suppose, by Asaph in the days of Asa, who had gained, by the aid of the Syrians, a great victory over the Israelites, and brought back to the pure worship of God many out of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon.; 2 Chronicles 15:1-16
See on Ps
49:1-3, 51:4, Judges 5:3, Proverbs 8:4-6, Isaiah 51:4, 55:3, Matthew 13:9
Verse 2

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
I will
49:4, Matthew 13:13,34,35
dark sayings
Proverbs 1:6, Matthew 13:11-13, Mark 4:34
Verse 3

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
44:1, 48:8, Exodus 12:26,27, 13:8,14,15
Verse 4

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.
We will
145:4-6, Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:7, Joel 1:3
shewing
71:18, Deuteronomy 11:19, Joshua 4:6,7,21-24
praises
9:14, 10:1-5, 145:5,6, Isaiah 63:7-19
Verse 5

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:
For he
81:5, 119:152, 147:19, Deuteronomy 4:45, 6:7, 11:19, Isaiah 8:20, Romans 3:2, 1 John 5:9-12
testimony
The word testimony is used for the ark, and for the law, written on tables of stone, put within the ark, and covered with the mercy seat. This testified the Lord's gracious presence with his people, and seemed to point out to them both the way of access and acceptance, and the standard or rule of their duty.
Exodus 25:16,21, 40:3,20
that they
3,4, Genesis 18:19, Isaiah 38:19, Ephesians 6:4
Verse 6

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
48:13, 71:18, 102:18, 145:4, Esther 9:28
who
90:16, Deuteronomy 4:10, Joshua 22:24,25, Joel 1:3
Verse 7

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
set
40:4, 62:5, 91:14, 130:6,7, 146:5, Jeremiah 17:7,8, 1 Peter 1:21
not forget
77:10-12, 103:2, 105:5, Exodus 12:24-27, Deuteronomy 4:9, 7:18,19, 8:2,11, Esther 9:27,28, 1 Corinthians 11:24
keep
Deuteronomy 5:29, John 14:21-24, 1 John 3:22-24, 5:3, Revelation 14:12
Verse 8

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.
as their
68:6, 106:7, Exodus 32:9, 33:3,5, 34:9, Deuteronomy 9:6,13, 31:27, 2 Kings 17:14, Ezekiel 2:3-8, 20:8,18, Matthew 23:31-33, Acts 7:51
set not
Heb. prepared not.
37, 2 Chronicles 12:14, 19:3, 20:33, 30:19
whose
37, Deuteronomy 4:4, Joshua 14:8,9, Acts 11:23
Verse 9

The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
The children
Some think this refers to a defeat of the Ephraimites mentioned in 1 Ch 7:20-22; but it probably refers to the conduct and defeat of the ten tribes of which Ephraim was the head. Nothing is recorded in the history of Israel concerning the cowardice of the Ephraimites, as distinct from that of the other tribes: some therefore think, "that the children of Ephraim" is put by a figure of speech for the nation in general.
Deuteronomy 1:41-44, Joshua 17:16-18, 1 Samuel 4:10, 31:1
carrying
Heb. throwing forth. turned.
Judges 9:28,38-40, Luke 22:33
Verse 10

They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
Deuteronomy 31:16,20, Judges 2:10-12, 2 Kings 17:14,15, Nehemiah 9:26-29, Jeremiah 31:32
Verse 11

And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
7, 106:13,21,22, Deuteronomy 32:18, Jeremiah 2:32
Verse 12

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Marvellous
42-50, 105:27-38, 135:9, Exodus 7:1-12, Deuteronomy 4:34, 6:22, Nehemiah 9:10
Zoan
Zoan, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs, where Moses wrought so many miracles, is rendered by the Chaldee, Tanium, LXX. [Tanis] Vulgate, Tanis, and Coptic, Tané, from the Coptic, ten, plain, flat, level; being situated in the low ground of the Delta, on one of the eastern branches of the Nile, bearing its own name, near a large lake, now called the lake of Menzala, 44 miles west of Pelusium, and 169 miles east of Alexandria, according to the Antonine Itinerary, and three miles from the Mediterranean, according to the Geograph. Nubiens. Clim. 3, par. 3. There are ruins still remaining to mark the site of Zoan, or Tanis, called San by the Arabs; comprising broken obelisks, capitals of the Corinthian order, a granite monument, etc.
43, Genesis 32:3, Numbers 13:22, Isaiah 19:11,13, Ezekiel 30:14
Verse 13

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
He divided
66:6, 106:9,10, 136:13-15, Exodus 14:1-15, Isaiah 63:13, 1 Corinthians 10:2,3
made
38:7, Joshua 3:16, Habakkuk 3:15
Verse 14

In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
105:39, Exodus 13:21,22, 14:24, 40:35-38, Nehemiah 9:12,19
Verse 15

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
105:41, 114:8, Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:11, Isaiah 41:18, 43:20, John 7:37,38, 1 Corinthians 10:4, Revelation 22:1,17
Verse 16

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
105:41, Deuteronomy 8:15, 9:21
Verse 17

And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
32, 95:8-10, 106:13-32, Deuteronomy 9:8,12-22, Hebrews 3:16-19
Verse 18

And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
by asking meat
106:14,15, Exodus 16:2,3, Numbers 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6, James 4:2,3
Verse 19

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Yea
Exodus 16:8-10, Numbers 21:5, 2 Chronicles 32:19, Job 34:37, Romans 9:20, Revelation 13:6
Can God
Numbers 11:4,13
furnish
Heb. order.
Verse 20

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?
he smote
Exodus 17:6,7, Numbers 20:11
can he give
41, Genesis 18:12-14, Numbers 11:21-23
Verse 21

Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
the Lord
31, Numbers 11:10, 1 Corinthians 10:5,11, Jude 1:5
a fire
Numbers 11:1-3, Deuteronomy 32:22, Hebrews 12:29
Verse 22

Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
106:24, Isaiah 7:9, Hebrews 3:12,18,19, 11:6, 1 John 5:10, Jude 1:5
Verse 23

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
Though
33:9, Isaiah 5:6
opened
Genesis 7:11, 2 Kings 7:2,19, Malachi 3:10
Verse 24

And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
had rained
68:9, 105:40, Exodus 16:4,14, Deuteronomy 8:3, Nehemiah 9:15,20, John 6:31-71, 1 Corinthians 10:3
the corn of heaven
The manna fell about their camp in the form of seeds; and as it appeared to come down from the clouds, it was not improperly termed degan shamayim, the corn of heaven or heavenly grain. See notes on Ex 16:22, 31.
Verse 25

Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
Man, etc
Or, Every one did eat the bread of the mighty. Lechem abbeerim, "bread of the mighty:"--they ate such food as could only be expected at the tables of the rich and great;--the best, the most delicate food. Or, it might be so called because it rendered the people healthy and vigorous, and fit for their marches.
103:20
he sent
Exodus 16:8, Matthew 14:20, 15:37
Verse 26

He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He caused
135:7, Numbers 11:31
blow
Heb. go.
Verse 27

He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
He rained
Exodus 16:12,13, Numbers 11:18,19,32
feathered fowls
Heb. fowl of wing.
Verse 29

So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
for he gave
106:15, Numbers 11:20
Verse 30

They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
But
Numbers 11:33,34, 22:20-22, Proverbs 1:32, Luke 16:19-23
Verse 31

The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
smote down
Heb. made to bow. chosen men. or, young men.
Verse 32

For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
they sinned
Numbers 14:1-45, 16:1-17, 21:1-6, 25:1-18, Ezekiel 20:13
believed
22, Luke 16:31, John 12:37
Verse 33

Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
days
90:7-9, Numbers 14:29,35, 26:64,65, Deuteronomy 2:14-16
years
Genesis 3:16-19, Job 5:6,7, 14:1, Ecclesiastes 1:2,13,14, 12:8,13,14
Verse 34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
Numbers 21:7, Judges 3:8,9,12-15, 4:3, 10:7-10, Isaiah 26:6, Jeremiah 22:23, Hosea 5:15, 7:14
Verse 35

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
remembered
7,11,42, 106:13,21
God was
Deuteronomy 32:4,15,30,31
the high
Ail élyon goälom, "the strong God, the Most High, their redeemer," or kinsman: that one who possessed the right of redemption; the nearest akin to him who had forfeited his inheritance, as the word originally means; and hence is used for a redeemer; and here denotes Him who redeemed them from Egyptian bondage.
their redeemer
Exodus 6:6, 15:13, Deuteronomy 7:8, 15:15, Isaiah 41:14, 44:6, 48:17, 63:8,9, Titus 2:14
Verse 36

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Nevertheless
106:12,13, Deuteronomy 5:28,29, Isaiah 29:13, Ezekiel 33:31, Hosea 11:12
lied
18:44; *marg:
Verse 37

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
their heart
119:80, Hosea 7:14,16, 10:2, Acts 8:21
stedfast
8, 44:17,18, Deuteronomy 31:20, Hosea 8:1
Verse 38

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.
But he
106:43-45, Exodus 34:6-9, Numbers 14:18-20, 16:44-48, Isaiah 44:21,22
many
Isaiah 48:9, Ezekiel 20:8,9,13,14,17,21,22
did not
2 Kings 21:20
Verse 39

For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
For he
103:14-16, Genesis 6:3, John 3:6
a wind
Or, as the Hebrew rooäch holaich welo yashoov may be rendered, "the spirit goeth away and returneth not again." To this purpose the Arabic, "He remembered that they were flesh; and a spirit which when it departs, returneth not again." The human being is composed of flesh and spirit, or body and soul: these are easily separated, and when separated, the body turns to dust, and the spirit returns no more to animate the body in a state of probation.
Job 7:7,16, James 4:14
Verse 40

How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
How oft
17, 95:8-10, 106:14-33, Numbers 14:11, Deuteronomy 9:21,22
provoke him
or, rebel against him. grieve.
Isaiah 7:13, 63:10, Ephesians 4:30, Hebrews 3:15-17
Verse 41

Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Yea
Numbers 14:4,22, Deuteronomy 6:16, Acts 7:39, Hebrews 3:8-11, 2 Peter 2:21,22
limited
19,20, Mark 5:35,36
Verse 42

They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
remembered
11,21,22, 136:10-15, Exodus 13:9, Isaiah 11:11, Jeremiah 32:21
the day
106:7-10, Exodus 14:12,30,31
the enemy
or, affliction.
Verse 43

How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
How
105:27-38, 135:9, Exodus 3:19,20, Deuteronomy 4:34, 6:22, Nehemiah 9:10
wrought
Heb. set. wonders.
Verse 44

And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
105:29, Exodus 7:17-21, Revelation 16:3-6; The miracles mentioned in this and the four subsequent verses, evidently shew the power of God over the elements of nature, which at that time were the objects of Egyptian worship.
Verse 45

He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
sent
105:31, Exodus 8:21-24
frogs
105:30, Exodus 8:2-15, Revelation 16:3
Verse 46

He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
gave also
105:34,35, Exodus 10:12-15, Joel 1:4-7, 2:25, Amos 7:1,2, Revelation 9:2-11
the caterpillar
Chosal, from chasal, to consume, eat up, is rendered [~broucov~, brouchos] by the LXX., in 2 Ch 6:28, and Aquila here, and also the Vulgate in Chron. and Isa 33:4 and Jerome here, bruchus, the chaffer, which every one knows to be a great devourer of the leaves of trees. The Syriac in Joel 1:4; 2:25, renders it tzartzooro, which Michaelis, from the Arabic tzartzar, a cricket, interprets the mole-cricket, which in its grub state is also very destructive to corn, grass, and other vegetables, by cankering the roots on which it feeds.
Verse 47

He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
destroyed
or, killed. with hail.
105:32,33, Exodus 9:18-34
sycamore
From the value of the sycamore in furnishing wood for various uses, from the grateful shade which its wide spreading branches afforded, and on account of the fruit, which Mr. Maillet says the Egyptians hold in the highest estimation, we may conceive somewhat of the loss they sustained when "their vines were destroyed with hail; and their sycamore trees with frost." See Note on 1 Ch 27:28.
frost
or, great hailstones.
Verse 48

He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
gave up
Heb. shut up. hot thunderbolts. or, lightnings.
Exodus 9:28
Verse 49

He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
cast
11:6, Job 20:23, Isaiah 42:25, Lamentations 4:11, Zephaniah 3:8, Romans 2:8,9
by sending
1 Kings 22:21,22, Job 1:12, 2:6,7
Verse 50

He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
made away
Heb. weighed a path. he spared.
Job 27:22, Ezekiel 5:11, 7:4,9, 8:18, 9:10, Romans 8:32, 2 Peter 2:4,5
life over to the pestilence
or, beasts to the murrain.
Exodus 9:3-6
Verse 51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
smote
105:36, 135:8, 136:10, Exodus 12:12,29,30, 13:15, Hebrews 11:28
the chief
Genesis 49:3
tabernacles
105:23, 106:22, Genesis 9:22-25, 10:6
Verse 52

But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But
77:20, 105:37, Nehemiah 9:12, Isaiah 63:11-14
like a
95:7, 100:3, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 23:2-4, Ezekiel 34:11-31, Luke 15:4-6, John 10:11-42
Verse 53

And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
so that
Exodus 14:15,19,20, Hebrews 11:29
but
136:15, Exodus 14:27,28, 15:10
overwhelmed
Heb. covered.
Verse 54

And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
And he
Exodus 15:13,17, Daniel 9:16-20, 11:45
his right
44:3, Ephesians 1:14
Verse 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.
cost
44:2, 105:44,45, 135:10-12, 136:18-22, Joshua 6:1-21, Nehemiah 9:22-25
divided
Numbers 33:54, Joshua 13:7, 19:51
and made
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
Verse 56

Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
40,41, Deuteronomy 31:16-20, 32:15-21, Judges 2:11,12, 2 Kings 17:7-23, Nehemiah 9:25,26, Ezekiel 16:15-26
Verse 57

But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
But
41, Judges 3:5-7,12, Ezekiel 20:27,28
they were
8,10-37, Hosea 7:16
Verse 58

For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
their high
Leviticus 26:30, Numbers 33:52, Deuteronomy 12:2,4, Ezekiel 20:28,29
moved
79:5, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 32:16,17,21, Judges 2:12,20, Ezekiel 8:3-5, 1 Corinthians 10:22
with
97:7, Exodus 20:4,5, Deuteronomy 4:16-25, 27:15, Judges 2:11,17, 10:6, 1 Kings 11:7,10, 1 Kings 12:31, Jeremiah 8:19, Hosea 13:2
Verse 59

When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
God
11:4, 14:2-5, Genesis 18:20,21
greatly
106:40, Leviticus 20:23, 26:44, Lamentations 2:7, Zechariah 11:8
Verse 60

So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
Joshua 18:1, 1 Samuel 1:3, 4:4-11, Jeremiah 7:12-14, 26:6-9
Verse 61

And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
his strength
That is, the ark, where his power and glory were displayed.
132:8, Judges 18:30, 1 Samuel 5:1,2, 2 Chronicles 6:41
glory
24:7, Exodus 40:34, 1 Samuel 4:21,22
Verse 62

He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
gave
1 Samuel 4:2,10,11
wrought
89:38, Isaiah 64:9
Verse 63

The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
fire
21, Deuteronomy 29:20, 32:22
maidens
Isaiah 4:1, Jeremiah 7:34, 16:9, 25:10
given to marriage
Heb. praised.
Verse 64

Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
priests
1 Samuel 2:33,34, 4:11,17, 22:18,19
widows
1 Samuel 4:19,20, Job 27:15, Ezekiel 24:23
Verse 65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
Then
7:6, 44:23, Isaiah 51:9
and like
Isaiah 42:13,14
Verse 66

And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
And he
1 Samuel 5:6, 6:4, Job 40:12
he put
Jeremiah 23:40
Verse 67

Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
1 Samuel 6:21, 7:1, 2 Samuel 6:2,17
Verse 68

But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
chose
Genesis 49:8-10, Ruth 4:17-22, 1 Samuel 16:1, 2 Chronicles 6:6
mount
87:2, 132:12-14
Verse 69

And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
And he
1 Kings 6:2, 9:8, 2 Chronicles 3:4
high
1 Chronicles 29:1,19, 2 Chronicles 2:9
earth
102:25, 104:5, 119:90,91, 1 Samuel 2:8, Job 26:7, Isaiah 48:13, 51:6, Colossians 1:16,17, Revelation 20:11
established
Heb. founded.
Verse 70

He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
chose
89:19,20, 1 Samuel 16:11,12, 2 Samuel 3:18, 6:21, Acts 13:22
and took
Exodus 3:1,10, 1 Samuel 17:15-54, 2 Samuel 7:8, 1 Kings 19:19,20, Amos 7:14,15, Matthew 4:18-22
Verse 71

From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
From following
Heb. From after. ewes.
Genesis 33:13, Isaiah 40:11
brought
75:6,7, 113:7,8, 1 Samuel 2:7,8, Jeremiah 27:5,6
feed
2 Samuel 5:2, 1 Chronicles 11:2, Ezekiel 34:23,24, Micah 5:2-4, Zechariah 11:4-17, Matthew 2:6; *marg:; John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2
Verse 72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
according
75:2, 101:1-8, 2 Samuel 8:15, 1 Kings 9:4, 15:5, Isaiah 11:2-4, Acts 13:22,36
guided
1 Kings 3:6-9,28, Zechariah 11:15-17, 2 Corinthians 3:5,6, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:5

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