Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 78

This wisdom psalm urges people to learn wisdom and share it faithfully.

The introduction is an invitation to learn wisdom.

• 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).

This story of what God has done should be told from generation to generation (see Deuteronomy 6:20–25; Proverbs 4:1–4).

The telling of the story should motivate God’s people to obey what he commanded (Deuteronomy 6:4–9).

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).

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.

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.

The wonders are the ten plagues against Egypt that God performed during Israel’s captivity (Exodus 7–12).

God split the sea when Israel crossed through the Red Sea (see Exodus 14–15).

God used a cloud and a light of fire to guide and protect Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22).

Israel rebelled in the wilderness despite God’s abundant provision.

• 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).

God powerfully satisfied the people’s desires, but they did not respond with gratitude or faith. Therefore, God exercised his justice.

Israel’s rebellion resulted in God’s judgment, but even their short-lived and insincere repentance motivated God to exercise forbearance.

An entire generation died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22–23, 28–35).

Israel continued to exist because of God's compassion, despite the people's rebellion and lack of belief (Psalm 78:7–8).

they repented: This strong show of effort was not sincere.

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).

The Israelites rebelled even though the Lord had rescued them from powerful plagues.

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).

God abandoned his dwelling at Shiloh because of the people’s idol worship (1 Samuel 4:11; Jeremiah 7:12).

The tribe of Ephraim was not completely rejected, but God favored Judah (Psalm 78:68).

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).

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).