Psalms 78:1-11

1O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying,

2for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

3stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.

4We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.

5For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children,

6so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.

7So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

8Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

9The warriors of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned their backs and fled on the day of battle.

10They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his instructions.

11They forgot what he had done— the great wonders he had shown them,